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Rev. Benjamin Mays
He was against segregation and a mentor to MLK. Mays was the President of Morehouse College and the head of ATL Public Schools. -
Governor's Race
Eugene Talmadge was elected for his fourth term as governor, but he died before he could take office. Supporters of Eugene influenced many voters to write in a different candidate, Talmadge’s racist son Herman! The three people claiming to be governor were Herman Talmadge, Melvin Thompson (lieutenant governor), and Ellis Arnall (previous governor). They all start conducting business from the state house. The Georgia Supreme court ruled that Thompson would serve until a new election. -
End of White Primary
In Georgia during the 1940’s, Governor Ellis Arnall helped to end the all white primary. He also changed the voting age to 18. -
Brown VS Board of Education
It overturned the Plessy vs . Ferguson spate. Supreme Court says that segregation is illegal. "Separate but equal" is not ok. Public schools begin to be integrated. -
1956 State Flag
The GA state flag was changed to the Confederate Battle Flag to show southern heritage and protest against integration. It was changed again in 2001 as citizens found the flag offensive. -
Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter to UGA
First two black students to attend UGA in 1961. -
Albany Movement
Albany, GA beomes the center of civil rights activity. A bus boycott due to Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Unsuccessful but helped show a valuable lesson. "Packing the jails." -
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Minister from Atlanta who developed a non-violent means of protesting (civil disobedience). ex: non-violent protest, voting, boycotts, legal action, sit ins
Civil Rights Activist, pastor, "I have a dream" speech -
March on Washington
Shows support for civil rights movement. "I have a dream" speech. Led to Civil Rights Act. -
Civil Rights Act
New laws that ended segregation in public places. Discrimination based on race is illegal in business. -
SNCC
John Lewis from GA was the co-founder. SNCC and MLK worked hard to get African Americans registered to vote. Led to Voting Rights Act. -
Lester Maddox
Became governor of GA. He was very popular w/ Georgians who supported segrewgation. Appointed African Americans to govermental jobs. -
Sibley Commission
The Sibley Commission finds the majority of Georgians wanted to close schools rather than integrate. Slowly changes come and by 1971 all Georgia schools are integrated. -
Andrew Young
Aide to MLK, JR. Instrumental to bring Olympics to Atlanta. First African American elected the US House of Representatives since Reconstruction. -
Maynard Jackson as Mayor of ATL
Atlanta’s first African American Mayor from 1974-1982.
Expanded MARTA and Hartsfield airport. Established Bureau of Cultural Affairs (arts buff). Helped secure the 1996 Olympics. Increased programs for ARTS.
