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Montgomery Bus Boycott
On December 1st, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to sit in the back of a bus. After her arrest African Americans began to protest the Montgomery buses.The boycott lasted 381 days. In the end, the bus system in Montgomery was integrated. -
The Little Rock 9
In 1957 after the Brown V. BOE decision, 9 African American students attempted to enroll and integrate a school in Arkansas. They were blocked by entering by a mob and the National Guard. Eventually they were allowed to enter after President Eisenhower interfered. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
An act passed by Eisenhower that made it much easier for African Americans to vote. This vote also made it illegal to interfere with any American's right to vote. -
The Sit-In Movement
The Sit-In Movement, was a civil rights movement in which African Americans would enter segregated restaurants and ask to be served. When they were not they would simply sit and wait patiently often getting abused verbally and physically. -
The Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were a group of African American and white civil rights acitivists who travelled on buses into the deep south. They then tried to use restrooms and restaurants that only allowed the other race. They were greeted with harsh violence actions but they attracted many people to their cause. -
James Meredith and the Desegregation of the University of Mississippi
James Meredith was an African American in Mississippi who attempted to enter the University of Mississippi. Riots and mobs broke out to stop him from enrolling in the college. In the end he was able to succesfully enter the university and graduate. -
Protests in Birmingham
The protests in Birmingham was a massive civil rights campaign involving sit-ins, boycotts, and marches. It led to horrible inhumane violence against activists. It is considered the turning point of the Civil Rights Movement. It ended in May 1963. -
The March on Washington
The March on Washington was an extremely successful movement by the civil rights activists where more than 200,000 Americans showed up to Washington giving speeches and songs about equal rights. This is where Dr. King gave his, "I Have a Dream" speech as well. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It ended discrimination based on race, religion, sex, or national origin. It also ended unequal voter restrictions and segregation in schools and the workplace. -
The Selma March
Dr. King and his followers began a march in Selma, Alabama to
Montgomery. This march was met with violence by authorities. But due to the assistance of the National Guard they were able to reach Montgomery after walking for days straight. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was also signed by President Johnson. It enforced the 14th and 15th amendments making voting equal. It is the most impactful legislature passed during this time for civil rights. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
On April 3rd, 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. gave his final speech in Memphis. The following day he was assassinated while in his motel by a sniper. The shooter was later identified as James Earl Ray. The death was saddening to many as King was one of the most prominent civil rights leaders. His speechs and ideas of nonviolence were key to the progress of reaching equality.
