The Civil Rights Movement

Executive Order 9981

Jul 6, 1948

President Truman issues order to rid segregation in the armed forces

Brown v. Board of Education,

May 17, 1954

Ended racial segregation in public schools. Although Some schools still remained segregated

Emmett Till

Aug 28, 1955

14 year old African American brutally murdered for allegedly flirting with a white woman. Brings international attention to the Civil Rights Movement.

Rosa Parks

Dec 1, 1955

Refuses to give up seat on bus for a white man. Results in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Little Rock Nine

Sep 4, 1957

Nine African American kids harassed and blocked from trying to enter Little Rock Central High School.

Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1957

Sep 9, 1957

Law allows federal prosecution of those who suppress others right to vote.

Ruby Bridges

Nov 14, 1960

first student to integrate in William Fragrant Elementary School in New Orleans. Inspired a painting by Norman Rockwell.

Freedom Riders

1961

Took bus trips through the south of America to protest segregated buses.

March on Washington

Aug 28, 1963

Martin Luther King gives his "I Have A Dream" speech

Baptist Church in Birmingham

Sep 15, 1963

Bomb kills four young girls before service and begins more protests

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

Prevented employment discrimination due to race, color, sex, religion, or national origin

Malcolm X is assassinated

Feb 21, 1965

Assassinated during a rally by members of the Nation of Islam

Bloody Sunday

Mar 7, 1965

600 civil rights marchers walk to Selma, Alabama to Montgomery. Police block protesters and attack them.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

Prevents the use of literacy tests as a voting requirement.

Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated

Apr 4, 1968

Assassinated on the balcony of his hotel room

Civil Rights Act of 1968

Apr 11, 1968

Provides equal housing opportunity regardless of race, religion, or national origin