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"Plessy v. Ferguson"
The Plessy v. Ferguson was a supreme court case which questioned the racial segregation laws for public facilities that were "separate but equal". African Americans believed that they were being treated unfairly regarding the conditions in which the public facilities were like. This event was significant because it allowed the ruling of segregation to become a law in the US, which years later inspired advocates to protest again this law. People considered this as one of the worst rulings. -
"Brown v. Board of Education"
The case was initiated by a girl named linda brown which wanted to go to a white school because it was closer to her home. The supreme court realized that the segregation law was violating the 14th amendment because it was going against the equal protection of the peoples laws within their jurisdiction. This event was significant because it made equal opportunity in education for African Americans. After the ruling some states did not obey the curt decision until the early 1970s, -
"The Murder of Emmett Till'
Emmett Till was a young boy that was visiting family in Mississippi, which there he was accused of flirting with a white women. He later was brutally beat to death by 2 white men. Emmett's mother decided to have an open casket to show the racist murder and to convey Americans. This event was significant because it showed the cruelty of segregation in the south and brought the start of the civil rights movement. -
"Rosa parks and the Montgomery bus boycott"
Rosa parks was a black woman which was arrested for not giving up her seat to a white person. This led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott that was a protest in which African Americans would no longer ride the transportation bus. This greatly effected the bus company in their profit which forced them to comply to African Americans and let them sit where ever. This event was significant because it was another factor towards the civil rights movement, -
"Founding of southern Christian leadership conference & MLK"
The founding of the southern christian leadership was meant to advance the cause of the civil rights movement in America. The main leader of this leadership was Martin Luther King Jr. who preached for equality in a non-violent way. This event was significant because it assisted African Americans in registering to vote, opened citizenship schools, but above all it preached the use of non-violence in all campaigns associated with its name. -
"Little rock nine & central high school'
Little rock nine was known as the event where nine black students were granted entry in and all white school for the first time after "brown v board of education". Although the were granted to go there the governor of the state would not allow it and called the national guard to block them from entering. The student were officially escorted into school of the US federal troops. This event was significant because it left a legacy as to the first African Americans to attend an all white school. -
"Greensboro sit-ins"
The Greensboro sit in where peaceful protests by four African Americans that did not leave until they were served. They were the ones to be arrested that day because they were breaking the segregation law. This event was significant because it forced some stores and establishments to change the segregationist policies. This event also inspired other African Americans to do the same in the south. -
"Freedom ride/ freedom riders"
Freedom Riders were a group of white and African Americans activists who traveled to the south to protest bus terminals. They would peacefully protest and would try and use whites only restrooms and lunch counters. This event was significant because although they were arrested and beat they brought nation wide attention to their cause. -
"March on Washington"
The March of Washington was a massive protest march held in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. This is also the march where MLK gave the " I Have A Dream" speech. This event was significant because it draw attention to the continuing problems for African Americans in society. -
"Student nonviolent coordinating committee & freedom summer"
The freedom summer was was a 1964 voter registration drive sponsored by civil rights organizations including the Congress on Racial Equality and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. This movement was meant to increase African Americans voter registration in Mississippi. This cause the KKK, police, and locals to act violent against this movement and cause beatings and murders. This event was significant because it increased black voting in the South. -
"Civil Rights Act"
The civil rights act ended segregation in public places, schools, and banned employment discrimination. It was first proposed by JFK but was strongly opposed by the south at the time. This event was significant because it furthered the progress of African Americans achieving civil rights. -
"Assassination of Malcolm X"
Malcolm X was was shot to death by a nation of Islam members while he was speaking at a rally of his organization in NYC. This angered many of his followers but was not a national mourning since he was considered a black radical.Some historians say if he had lived an extra 5 years he would have benefited the civil rights movement more. -
"Voting Rights Act"
The Voting Rights Act was passed by president President Lyndon B. Johnson. This law was passed to prohibit states in the south to discriminate voting for African Americans.This event is significant because it is considered one of the most important pieces in the civil rights legislation in US history. -
"Assassination of MLK"
Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee by a white nationalist. During he's active years he promoted the idea of peaceful protesting and fought for civil rights for African Americans. After his assassination it led to have blacks very angered and a time of mourning in America. It also led to an equal housing bill that would be the last significant legislative achievement of the civil rights era.
