-
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence freed the United States from the ruthless authority. Beforehand, the United States' rights were very limited, but now it is free from the restrictive grip of Britain. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention. It was progres toward women's suffrage and women's rights as a whole. -
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment was a remarkable step in overall equality. This amendment abolished slavery. -
14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment grants every citizen "equal protection under the law." This means that everyone will be treated equally by the government. -
15th Amendment
The 15th Amendment was another significant step toward equality. It guaranteed African American men the right to vote. -
Colorado becomes first state to grant women the right to vote
This was a step forward in general equality. Colorado allowed women to vote beginning in the year of 1893. -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Plessy vs. Ferguson determined the "separate-but-equal" mentality. It stated that segreation was legal if different races received the same education. -
NAACP is founded
The NAACP is a progressive organization that fights against discrimination toward African Amercians and fights for the rights of African Americans. -
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment was important for women in particular. It gave all women the right to vote. -
Executive Order 10450
Executive Order 10450 set guidelines for officials in patricular organizations for what is and what is not a violation of the oath of office. It determined criminal law. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Essentially, Brown vs. Board of Education repealed the decision made in Plessy vs. Ferguson. It ceased segregation in schools. -
One, Inc. v. Olsen
This supreme court case was the first to regard matters such as homosexuality and LGBT rights. It also dealt with freedom of speech regarding homosexuality. -
Illinois becomes first state to repeal it sodomy laws
Before the repeal, sodomy laws exclusively applied to males. After said repeal, sodomy was outlawed as a whole, no longer being exclusive to males. -
24th Amendment
The 24th Amendment ended the poll tax. The poll tax required citiznes to pay a tax in order to vote. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination of any kind. This includes discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, and gender. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Simply put, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 disallows racial discrimination in voting. -
Stonewall Inn Riots
In response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, members of the LGBT community fought back and rioted against the discrimination of the police. -
Title IX
Title IX states that there must be equal funding for both men's and women's athletics. In addition, no person shall be denied participation in an educational program due to gender. -
APA removes homosexuality as a mental disorder
This is a step forward in the LGBT community. Homosexuality is no longer recognized as a mental illness but simply as a sexual preference. -
Don't Ask Don't Tell
This act prohibited citizens in the military from divulging their sexual orientation. -
Defense of Marriage Act
This was a step backward in regards to discrimination. This act allowed same-sex marriage to be denied if the state law said so. -
Massachusetts legalizes gay marriage
Massachusetts legalized gay marriage on this date in 2004, no longer prohibitng same-sex couples from marriage. -
Don't Ask Don't Tell is repealed
Don't Ask Don't Tell, an act that required citizens in the military to not divulge their sexual preference, was repealed in December of 2010. It allowed people of all sexual orientation to speak freely about their sexual preference without legal punishment.
