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Executive Order 9981
President Truman signs Executive Order 9981, which states, "It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." -
The Beginning of the Movement
The civil rights movement was the beginning of change by African Americans in the mid-1950s to late 1960s to achieve Civil Rights equal to those of whites, including equal opportunity in employment, housing, education, the right to vote, and the right of equal access to public facilities. This movement was a turning point in US history because it was the beginning of people standing up for the rights of themselves and others. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
This verdict agreeed that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. The ruling paves the way for large-scale desegregation. -
Emmett Till
Fourteen-year-old Chicagoan Emmett Till was visiting family in Mississippi when he is kidnapped, beaten, shot, and dumped in the Tallahatchie River for allegedly whistling at a white woman. Two white men were arrested for the murder and acquitted by an all-white jury. The case becomes a cause célèbre of the civil rights movement. Time News Video of Interview and Picture:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V6ffUUEvaM -
Roas Parkers
In 1900, Montgomery had passed a city ordinance to segregate bus passengers by race. Conductors were empowered to assign seats to achieve that goal. Roas Parkers boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama and refused to move when asked. This ended in her being arrested and put in jail. Interview with Rosa Parks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpqVT-b6Kjc -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Four days before this boycott began, Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat on a public transportation bus. After this event, the campaign against the policy of racial segregation on the public transit system of Montgomery, Alabama began. -
Little Rock Nine
Nine African American students, who were originally allowed into an all-white school, are blocked from entering the school on the orders of State Governor. President Eisenhower sends federal troops and the National Guard to intervene on behalf of the students, who become known as the "Little Rock Nine." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xERXusiEszs -
Ruby Bridges
In early 1960, Bridges was one of six black children in New Orleans to pass the test that determined whether they could go to the all-white school, William Frantz Elementary. Two of the six decided to stay at their old school, Bridges went to a school by herself. Bridges was escorted into school every day due to protestors outside of the school enraged with the integration being made at the school. -
The Sit-Ins
Four black students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College begin a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter. Although they are refused service, they are allowed to stay at the counter. The event triggers many similar nonviolent protests throughout the South. Six months later the original four protesters are served lunch at the same Woolworth's counter. -
Boynton v. Virginia
The case of Boynton v. Virginia was the choice of whether or not African Americans should be allowed to use public transportation. The end result decided by the Supreme Court was to outlaws Segregation in bus terminals. -
The Freedom Riders
Freedom Riders were civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated southern United States. Among their travels, the group protested against cases Morgan v. Virginia and Boynton v. Virginia. These cases were focused on public transportation, which ruled that segregated public buses were unconstitutional. Throughout their many journeys, they faced many dangers of mobs and protesters. -
James Meredith
James Meredith becomes the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. This change was not excepted by the people which lead to violence and riots around the school. These events led to President Kennedy to send 5,000 federal troops. -
"I Have a Dream."
Martin Luther King Jr. gave his 'I Have a Dream' speech on August 28, 1963 in front of 250,000 participants of the March on Washington. "I Have a Dream Speech."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vDWWy4CMhE Animated Film "My Friend Martin."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROracLAcRSc -
The March on Washington
The Washinton March was a giant peaceful protest in DC where 250,000 people gathered to fight for peace and equality. Even though 75% of the protestors were African Americans, both black and white communities came together to protest as a whole. http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/march-on-washington/videos -
The Price to Vote
The bodies of three civil-rights workers, two white, one black, are found in an earthen dam, six weeks into a federal investigation backed by President Johnson. It was discovered had been working to register black voters in Mississippi, and, on June 21, had gone to investigate the burning of a black church. They were arrested by the police on speeding charges, incarcerated for several hours, and then released after dark into the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, who murdered them. -
Malcolm X
Malcolm X, black nationalist and founder of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, is shot to death. It is believed the assailants are members of the Black Muslim faith, which Malcolm had recently abandoned in favor of orthodox Islam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcRSOHmYq-k#action=share -
Selma to Montgomery March
The Selma to Montgomery marches were three protest marches, held in from March 7-21 of 1965. This 54-mile march from Selma, Alabama to the state capital of Montgomery was led by MLK. Within these 2 weeks, this peaceful protest turned to violence as police and SWAT teams were called in for crowd control. It ended in deaths and many were seriously injured. ttps://www.cnn.com/2013/09/15/us/1965-selma-to-montgomery-march-fast-facts/index.html -
The Black Panthers
The Black Panthers are founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. Originally aimed at armed self-defense against the local police, the party grew to espouse violent revolution as the only means of achieving black liberation. The Black Panthers called on African Americans to arm themselves for the liberation struggle. -
The Death of a Hero
King was fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on Thursday, April 4, 1968, at the age of 39. He was shot by James Earl RayKing, who was against equal rights between white and African Americans. was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. that evening. MLK's Funeral:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plzuaXfRDFQ#action=share -
The Civil Rights Act of 1968
The Civil Rights Act of 1968 defines housing discrimination as the “refusal to sell or rent a dwelling to any person because of his race, color, religion, or national origin”.
