-
She Becomes "Moses" to Others
Harriet Tubman helped hundreds of American slaves escape along the secret route called the Underground Railroad. Born a slave herself, Harriet fled from Maryland to freedom in Philadelphia sometime in 1849. For 10 more years she secretly made trips back to Maryland, helping at least 300 slaves escape north and then to freedom in Canada. -
Tuskegee Institutes Leader
Sometime in 1881,Booker T. Washington was the first teacher and principal of the Tuskegee Institute, in Tuskegee, Alabama, a school for African-Americans where he was a leader in learning and job training for young black youth. He wanted to see the students grow in success and become more self-reliant. Mr. Washington was born a slave himself, and didn't have an early education, but he led the way in showing others how to succeed and becoming a leading American black educator. -
An Original Founder of the NAACP
During the year 1909, Ida Wells became one of the original founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP). She worked long and hard to promote civil rights and women's suffrage. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
Marshall Thurgood challenged racial segregation and gave an argument against the "separate but equal" doctrine. He made his biggest impact in the landmark decision handed down in "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka", stating that separate facilities for white and blacks was unconstitutional. -
She Championed Going to School
Escorted by four federal marshals on her first day of first grade, Ruby Bridges made history when she walked through protestors and into public school. She was the first and only black student. With only one teachers willing to teach a black student, and with no other kids that would go to school with her, Ruby was the only students in her class. Ruby never missed a day of school and showed the world she could learn, too, just like white students. -
She Won't Give Up Her Seat
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat at the front of the "colored section" of a bus to a white passenger, on December 1, 1955. After she was arrested, the Montgomery black community launched a bus boycott, which lasted for more than a year. Buses were desegregated on December 21, 1956. -
Rioting Begins After Black Student is Admitted
James Meredith became the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Violence and riots started and President Kennedy sent 5,000 federal troops. James led the way for other African Americans to enroll at the University, as well as other universities. -
"I Have a Dream"
Martin Luther King was a preacher, activist, and had a profound impact on our nation and the civil rights movement. It could be easily argued that he did the most for civil rights. One of the most noted days was when about 200,000 people joined the 'March on Washington D.C.' People gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, and listened as Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, that shared of what he dreamed for African Americans in the years to come.
