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Benjamin Mays becomes President of Morehouse College
Benjamin Mays was MLK Jr's mentor. Mays's emphasis on two ideas in particular—"the dignity of all human beings and the incompatibility of American democratic ideals with American social practices"—became vital strains in the language of King and the civil rights movement. He was influential to the progress of black people. -
1946 Governor's Race
After Eugene Talmadge died before his inaguration, Herman Talmadge, the Lt. Governor, and Ellis Arnall all believed that they were the rightful governor. This is also known as the Three Governor's Controversey. This race lasted until 1947. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brown-v-board-of-ed-is-decided On May 17, 1954 The Supreme Court declared unanimously that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." This case brought social reform to public school systems, and was a catalyst to integrating schools across America. -
1956 Georgia Flag
In the 1960s where the Civil Rights issues were at their highest, many Georgians believed that the Confederate flag was not a good symbol to represent Georgia. In 1969, Janet Merritt created a bill to reintroduce the pre-1956 flag, however Atlanta city officials decided that they would refuse to fly the flag in municpal governments. -
Herman Talmadge becomes Governor
Talmadge becomes the governor of Georgia. A racist politician that refused all attempts to integrate when in May 1954 the Supreme Court declared segregation unconstitutional, Talamdge was extremely angry. He Boycotted 1946 democratic convention because of the Civil Rights Act. -
The Sibley Comission
The SIbley Commission was a committee that had to gather state residents' sentiments regarding desegregation and reporting back to the governor. -
SNCC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6L1Hyoh3rY
The SNCC was one of the main civil rights fighting organizations in Atlanta. Ine October of 1960, The SNCC created a large conference for civil rights, and to go along with that also had many sit-ins and lots of protests in their fight for rights. -
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter attended UGA as the first African American students there. They had a tough time, as many other students and staff were opposed to intergration. -
Albany Movement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBrZ4utBse8
The Albany Movement was a desegregation coalition formed in Albany, Georgia, on November 17, 1961. Many local activists including the SNCC were all involved. The movement was headed by William G. Anderson, and in December 1961, MLK Jr. and Andrew Young, men who wroked with the SCLC, and other SCLC members also became involved. The movement mobilzied thousamds of citizens, however it failed to accomplish its goals. -
The March on Washington
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement/videos/martin-luther-king-jr-leads-the-march-on-washington
The March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom took place on August 28, 1963. Over 250,000 blacks and whites attended the March, and it is the day that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. It was the largest demonstration seen by the capital to this date, and it was instrumental in the progress for the blacks. -
Lester Maddox is sworn into office
Lester Maddox, a segregationsist, won the election in 1967 in a suprsing victory over Ellis Arnall. He appointed African Americans to state boards and commissions, and invested in teaching for the teachers of Georgia. He allowed outside advice and input from Georgians, and was open to ideas. -
Maynard Jackson becomes 1st African American Mayor of Atlanta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajkv5AWMltY
Maynard Jackson was the first african american mayor of Atlanta, and he was influential in developing the Atlanta infrastructure, specifically the international Airport, which today is partially named after him. Before he became mayor, he worked as an attorney at a law firm. He served for three terms from 1974-1982 and 1990-1994. He died in 2003.
