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Rosa Parks
A woman named Rosa Parks got on a bus and was told to move seats to make room for a white person. After being told to move, she didn't and was then arrested. This is important because this event was followed by encouragement and support for African Americans. This was also important because the association (MIA) started which stands for Montgomery Improvement Association. “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right," Parks says. -
Little Rock Nine
Nine black students arrived at Central High School. They were then met by the Arkansas National Guard and a screaming mob making threats at them. Later on, the nine were able to be escorted from class to class at Central High School and progress was made. The students still did face injustice and harassment. While there were still racist issues, the nine students made an impact and raised awareness against segregation. -
Woolworth's Lunch Counter sit-in
Four college students took a stand against segregation in Greensboro, North Carolina. The four college students refused to leave the lunch counter in the restaurant when asked to. These efforts allowed for peaceful sit-ins and demonstrations in lots of different cities. There was also an organization launched called Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. -
Free Riders Protest
The riders were seven black and six white activists. This event occurred on May 4, 1961. This group of people were protesting on a bus until May 24. This group took a bus tour to protest the bus segregation laws that were being made. The group was later arrested, but there was still an impact made. Later on, there were new freedom riders protesting segregation. -
March on Washington
This march took place on August 28, 1963. It was organized by a few civil rights leaders and attended by them. More than 200,00 people of all races gathered together in Washington, DC. This is where Martin Luther King Jr gave his “I Have a Dream Speech.” This was important because many people came together and fought for their own and other people’s freedom. -
Rosa Parks Becomes Detroit Secretary
After the event of 1955, Rosa Parks went on to join the movement for fair housing. Rosa Parks supported candidate, John Conyers in his running for congress. John Conyers got elected in 1965. Because of Rosa Parks support John Conyers hired her to be his secretary in his Detroit office. Rosa parks kept that position until she retirement in 1988. -
Malcolm X assassinated
Malcolm X, a human rights activist and revolutionary for African Americans. He was shot and killed at Audubon Ballroom while preparing for his speech on African-American unity. Afterword, three people of the Nation of Islam were charged and found guilty of the assassination. -
Bloody Sunday
600 peaceful demonstrators participated in the Selma to Montgomery march. This march was to protest the killing of Jimmie Lee Jackson who was killed by a white police officer. People in the march were violently beaten and teargassed as they attempted to pass by officers. While this was very bloody and violent, later Martin Luther King Jr gained federal protection for another march and went to peaceful protests. -
Voting Rights Act
President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965. This new law banned all voter literacy tests. This also allowed the attorney general to contest state and local poll taxes. This new right was impactful because this allowed African Americans to be able to vote. -
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Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow Laws were laws that were established in the south that discriminated whites and African Americans. This is important because these laws effected African Americans in many ways such as, separation in education, marriage, voting and more. -
Fair Housing Act
his act became law on April 11, 1968. This was just a few days after Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination. This act prevented housing discrimination based on race, sex, national origin and religion. This was also the last legislation created during the civil rights era. This was important because it gave more rights to African Americans within housing. -
Henry Aaron Breaks Babe Ruth's Record
Henry "Hank" Aaron hits his 715th home run, breaking Babe Ruth’s record and becoming Major League Baseball's all-time home run leader, a record he would hold until he was bested by Barry Bonds in 2007. It is important because it advances civil rights. "He became the first Black man for whom white fans in the South cheered," Says President Carter after Aaron's funeral. -
Bluford Jr Reaches Space
Guion Guy Bluford Jr becomes the first Blak American to visit space as part of the Challenger Space Shuttle crew. It was important because it served as a role model for the black people for future generations. -
Vanessa Williams wins "Miss America" award
New York’s Vanessa Williams is crowned the first Black Miss America at age 20. On July 23, 1984, she gives up her crown following Penthouse magazine’s announcement saying it would publish nude photos of her if she didn't. It was important because they wanted to stop her from talking about race and diversity. -
John Lewis joins House of Representatives
John Lewis was one of the 13 freedom riders. In 1986 John Lewis was elected to the United Sates, House of Representatives. Lewis represented Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, including the city of Atlanta until he died in 2020. -
Rodney King is beat by 4 Police Officers
Four Los Angeles police officers, three of whom are white, are acquitted of beating Rodney King, a Black man. It was important and impactful because the verdict led to five days of riots in Los Angeles. -
Colin Powell becomes Senator of State
Colin Powell is appointed the first Black secretary of state by Geoge W. Bush receiving unanimous confirmation and eventually serving four years in the position. This was important because it broke the racial barriers and breaking the diversity barrier for the high level. -
Barrack Obama is elected President
Barack Obama is elected the 44th president of the United States, becoming the nation's first Black American to lead the nation and then was reelected in 2012. This was important because he was the first African American elected in the White House, giving more diversity options. -
"Little Rock Nine" assist in the Modern Government
Green served as assistant secretary of the federal Department of Labor under President Jimmy Carter, Brown worked as deputy assistant secretary for workforce diversity in the Department of the Interior under President Bill Clinton, and Patillo worked as a reporter for NBC. In 1999, President Clinton awarded each member of the group the Congressional Gold Medal. All 9 received personal invitations to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009. -
Zimmerman shoots Martin
George Zimmerman shoots Black high school student Trayvon Martin, claiming self-defense. Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder April 11, and on July 13, a jury found him not guilty. It was important because it started having people stay black life's matter leaving a national conversation about race and racial profiling.