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Benjamin Mays
Benjamin Mays was an African American educator, scholar, social activist, and minister. His most well-knkown accomplishment was his being the President of Morehouse College beginning in 1940. His most famous student at Morehouse was Martin Luther King Jr. Mays influenced the nation greatly at Morehouse, the single college in the country that educates only black males. -
Herman Talmadge
Herman Talmadge was the 70th governor of Georgia in 1947. He was again elected in 1948 and served as governor until 1954. Talmadge was later elected into the U.S. Senate and he served from 1956 until 1980. Herman was a Democrat. He was against civil rights for African Americans, and was a major political opponent to them during the Civil Rights Movement. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. BOEThe U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 can be considered the most history-changing decision in all United States Education. Court declared state laws that established separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. Schools were then integrated under the law. The Brown vs. Board of Education decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896, which allowed segregation in public schools. This was a huge mark for black civil rights. -
1956 State Flag
In 1956, Georgia adopted a new state flag. This flag was used from 1956 to 2001 and featured a Confederate Battle Flag, which was offensive to some residents due to its previous use by the Confederate States of America. In the 1990s, Georgians put pressure on the state to adopt a new flag, and in 2002 governor Sonny Perdue allowed Georgia citizens to choose the new flag. -
Albany Movement
The Albany Movement was a desegregation movement held in Albany, Georgia. It was formed by local activists, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). It was led by William G. Anderson. The event raised awareness and brought national attenion to Albany, as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and Martin Luther King Jr began assisting the Albany Movement. -
March on Washington
March on WashingtonThe March on Washington took place in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. With around 250,000 attendees, it was the largest demonstration ever in the U.S. Capital. Media coverage sparked nationwide outrage to events in Birmingham, leading the country closer to the March on Washington, which was led by the "Big Six." The "Big Six" included James Farmer, MLK Jr, John Lewis, Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, and Whitney Young Jr. The March on Washington brought awareness to civil rights issues. -
Civil Rights Act
Civil Rights Act SigningThe Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a key piece to the Civil Rights Movement. It outlawed discrimination against on color, race, religion, sex, or national origin. This act was put into action on July 2, 1964, and has made America more fair since. -
Lester Maddox
Lester Maddox Video
Lester Maddox the 75th Governor of Georgia and served from 1967-1971. He was a Democrat, and became known for his strong belief in segregationalism. He refused to serve black customers in his own restaurant in Atlanta. Maddox was in defiance to the Civil Rights Act, and thils affected black Gerogians greatly. He later served under Jimmy Carter as Lieutenant Governor. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
I Have a DreamHe was a social activist during the Civil Rights Movement, as well as a Baptist minister. He is considered the most influential leader for black rights. He fought to end Jim Crow segregation laws and eliminate social and economic differences between races. He is well-known for being a leader of the March on Washington in 1963 and his important role in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.He was assassinated in 1968. -
The Election of Maynard Jackson
Maynard Jackson was a Democratic American Politician, and the first African American mayor of Atlanta. He was elected on October 2, 1973 and served three terms (1974–82, 1990–94). Jackson graduated from Morehouse College in 1956, then attended law school at Boston University for a short period of time. He had several jobs until first being elected as mayor in 1974. Jackson began the progression on several public-works projects in Atlanta.
