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Benjamin Mays Becomes President of Morehouse College
Before civil rights became a large-scale movement, Benjamin Mays was an advocate to desegregation. He was an activist and a minister who worked with associations like NAACP and YMCA to fight for equality. He is best known for being the president of Morehouse College in Georgia, where he mentored Martin Luther King Jr. and became his lifelong friend. -
3 Governor's Controversy
When governor Eugene Talmadge died, the General Assembly decided that his son, Herman Talmadge, should be governor in his place. However, Melvin Thompson, the lieutenant governor, claimed the title, and Ellis Arnall, who was governor before 1946, refused to leave office. Eventually, Arnall surrendered and the Supereme Court deemed that Thompson was the governor. A special election was then held in 1948, and Herman Talmadge won. -
End of the White Primary
An African American named Primus E. King was denied the right to vote in Columbus, Georgia, and took the matter to the federal court. After winning the case, the white primary in Georgia was over. Blacks registered to vote and became more active in politics. -
Herman Talmadge Elected Governor
Herman Talmadge was elected governor during a special election. Though his term only lasted two years, he was reelected in 1950 for a regular 4 year term. During his time as governor, Talmadge made many advances, such as advocating a sales tax and expanding industries. However, Talmadge was an extreme segregationalist (like most southern politicians). Even after he was elected to the Senate in 1956, he stood by his supremacist ways. -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education VideoBrown vs. Board of Education was a compilation of 5 different cases regarding segregation and education. The argument stated that while schools were separate, they were not equal. It was on May 14th that a decision was made. Chief Justice Warren stated, "We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. . ." From then on forth, schools became segregated. -
New Flag Ratified
In 1956, a new state flag was ratified that lasted until 2001. The Confederate battle flag was added to the past Georgia flag. This was a result to the Brown vs. Board of Education case. -
Sibley Commission
Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver, Jr. had an important decision to make- either abide by federal order to desegregate public schools or close them. The General Assembly Commission on Schools was created to report the public's opinion on desegregation. It was led by John Sibley and was therefore called the Sibley Commission. The Commission voted for desegregation after many debates and hearings, and Vandiver accepted. -
SNCC Established
SNCC's Legacy on Civil RightsSNCC was an organization founded partly by Ella Baker to lead youth nonviolent protests and campaigns against racism. SNCC participated in sit-ins and the 1963 March on Washington among many others. The organization lasted until 1970. -
First African American Students Admitted to UGA
Hamilton Holmes, a student recognized for academic achievements and sought out to challenge segregation, and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, a student interested in the UGA journalism program, were the first African American students admitted to University of Georgia. The two were denied many times due to various excuses, but after a trial in December 1960, it was determined that they were to be allowed to go to UGA. -
Albany Movement Established
The Albany Movement was established in order to bring mass desegregation. SNCC workers came together to create the movement with protests and demonstrations. Though it was unsuccessful, some consider it a step forward in the fight for desegregation. -
March on Washington
March on Washington- Did You Know?The March on Washington was a political rally that pushed for equality for African Americans and advocated for the signing of the Civil Rights Act. Over 200,000 Americans gathered for the protest, and Martin Luther King made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. This protest brought hope to African Americans that someday, they might be equal. -
Civil Rights Act Passed
Civil Rights Act of 1964The Civil Rights Act of 1964, passed by Lyndon B. Johnson, ended segregation and discrimination of race, gender, or religion in public. Though the southern states protested, and arguments about the bill lasted for days, the bill was finally passed on July 2nd, 1964. -
Lester Maddox Elected
Maddox was a segregationalist who became governor in 1966. When elected, he softened his anti-black views and helped improve Georgia in many ways (inluding prison reform, increased funding for universities, and granting African Americans political positions). -
Martin Luther King Jr Assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr. Mini BiographyMartin Luther King Jr was a nonviolent protester who fought for civil rights. He was a minister and a major player in the battle for equality. He lived in Atlanta and organized many protests, some of his most famous being the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the "I Have a Dream Speech". He was assassinated on April 4th, 1968. -
Andrew Young Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
Andrew Young was a strong civil rights leader. He worked with SCLC and Martin Luther King Jr. to fight for equality. In 1972, he was elected to the House of Representatives and was later reelected twice. He worked for African American rights and to increase the military budget. He also advocated for human rights and economic development in Africa. In 1981, he became mayor of Atlanta. -
Maynard Jackson Elected as Mayor of Atlanta
Maynard Jackson was the first African American governor of Atlanta. He helped small businesses, improved the police department, and also contributed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He died on June 23, 2003.
