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Prior Events in Early 20th Century
African Americans in the South including Montgomery are experiencing segregation on public buses. -
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Prior Events in Early 20th Century
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) increases efforts to legally ban segregation but struggles to do so due to the environment in the South. -
Jo Ann Robinson
Jo Ann Robinson an educator at Alabama State College and active member of the Women's Political Council (WPC) was kicked off bus in Montgomery for sitting in the “Whites Only” section of the bus and led to her role in being an activist during the Civil Right Movement. -
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Grassroot Foundations Early 1950s
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WPC Advocacy for Bus Segregation
Following Jo Ann Robinson’s incident, the WPC’s primary focus turned in to challenging the seating policy on public buses and began researching the issue surrounding bus segregation. -
Further Action Taken By NAACP
E.D Nixon a member of the NAACP as well as many other member took charge and gathered other activists to delegate a plan for protecting civil rights and voter rights. Also met up to further support future actions towards banning segregation. -
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Grassroots Organizations Form Plans for Continuation of Boycotts
Groups such as churches, activists, locals, community organizations and their leaders come together to discuss other means of transportation such as carpooling, walking and cycling to stay off of buses. MIA continues to update and inform members and community of any changes or issues surrounding their efforts. -
Claudette Colvin
At just 15 years old Claudette Colvin gets arrested for her unwillingness to give up her seat on the bus to a white person and activists attempted to use her story in the fight against segregation. -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks gets arrested due to refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white man leading her having a major role in the Civil Rights Movement evolving. -
Efforts to initiate the Bus Boycotts
WPC Members along side E.D Nixon and Jo Ann Robinson spread the word overnight following the Rosa Parks incident to all activist's, civil rights leaders, locals, and religious leaders to begin the bus boycott in Montgomery. -
The Beginning of The Montgomery Bus Boycotts
The bus boycotts officially began with almost all African American passengers who were the main riders of the buses not riding the bus and avoiding it entirely. The Montgomery improvement Association is created to organize the bus boycotting efforts with the president of the MIA being Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was a young minister at the time. -
Boycott Efforts Gain Attention
The boycotting gains attention nationally through coverage in newspaper, radio and television from the media and white supremacy is becoming more violent and intense. -
Violence increases towards boycotters
Martin Luther King Jr.’s home gets bombed as anger grew toward him as he was leading the boycotting efforts through the MIA. Martin’s response to his supporters is to remain peaceful and do not retaliate. -
Court Ruling of Browder V. Gayle
Court ruling lead to bus segregation being unconstitutional following the boycott efforts and the Supreme Court decision lead to it being upheld. -
The End of Bus Segregation
The boycott comes to an end as the Montgomery buses no longer follow the rules of segregation.