-
Plessy v. Ferguson
This case branched from the prior case of Homer Plessy, in which he refused to sit in the designated train car for blacks declaring it violated his rights. The case was dismissed stating the state law had no interference with Plessy's rights. Only later leading to the decision of the supreme court in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson the constitutionality of segregation would be upheld. -
Brown v. The Board of Education
Brown v. The Board of Education, was the supreme court case of whether segregation with in schools was really constitutional. The final verdict of the case stating " separate but equal " was unconstitutional and had no place in schools. This was the first major step in to integration of schools and the nation in general. Case ended May 17, 1954. -
Murder of Emmett Till
While visiting family in Mississippi Emmett Till was alleged to have physical interference with white woman. Days later Emmett's body was found in the river with a gun shot to his head, and eyes gouged out. When taken to trial in Mississippi, both the husband and his brother in law were dismissed as not guilty. From this out rage broke out across the nation, in regards to the juries decision, further advocating there was no justice for the crimes committed. -
Rosa parks and the Montgomery Bus boycott
After Rosa park refused to move to the back of the bus a boycott began. The boycott lasted December 5, 1955 until December 20, 1956, ultimately effecting the bus income. This is one of the first major protest for integration among black and whites. -
Founding of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) & Martin Luther King
Minsters and leaders in the civil rights movement met in Atlanta Georgia in attempts to plan for the upcoming Georgia bus boycott. The formation of the group help untie leaders across the nation join together to help plan events to contribute to the movement. -
Little Rock Nine and Central High school
Nine black students had enrolled in Central High school after the supreme court declared "separate but equal" in the brown v. Board of Education. Attempts to block the students from entering the school had occurred but ultimately failed. This was a major step in integration between everyone being the first school to have allowed black students to enroll. -
Greensboro Sit-In
The first sit in was done by four college students in North Carolina, who refused to leave the diner after being denied service. Sit ins became extremely popular among young black college students. The sit ins mostly promoted integration of both races, and equal treatment of blacks. -
Freedom Rides/ Riders
Freedom rides were help in the deep south and at rest stops, riders would attempted to use the white bathrooms. Riders consisted of whites and blacks wanting to show integration and unity among the two. These bold acts often ended in violence with many being attacked by mobs of people. -
March on Washington
Over 250,000 people black and white marched together and gathered at the Lincoln memorial. The march was don to protest against current occurring racial inequalities across the U.S. From this MLK's famous i have a dream speech was given, along with furthering a stronger following for the movement. -
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Freedom Summer
This was also known as the Mississippi summer project, students attempted to rise the number of black voters. They were many violent attacks by the KKK during the project including arson, beatings, and even murder. -
Civil Rights Act
The civil rights act of 1964 finally ended the war on segregation, and lead to the vast movement of integration. Not only had it forbid segregation but also banned employment discrimination, based on race, sex, or, religion. This amazing step for equal rights was shortly followed by the voting acts right of 1965. -
Assassination of Malcolm X
Malcolm X was killed during his speech to the Afro-American unity organization, by a rival association. Malcolm X is one of the major faces for the civil rights movement, besides MLK. Malcolm's work in his philosophy and creation of organizations help with further progress to the civil right act. -
Voting Rights Act
Following the civil rights act of 1964, the Voting Act was passes little over a year later. The act was signed by president Lyndon B. Johnson, forbidding any states to some how over pass this law. This completely gave blacks all equal rights to any white man. -
Assassination of MLK
MLK was killed in Memphis, Tennessee while standing out on the balcony of his hotel. MLK is the major face of the civil rights movement leading the march on Washington, and the Montgomery boycotts. From his peaceful protest and nonviolent philosophy MLK is truly remembered as hero during the time for the amount of progress he made during the time.