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Plessy v. Ferguson
The Supreme Court stated that it was legal to segregate people of difference races as long as they had equal opportunities. This established a "separate but equal" interpretation that dominated the South. The Plessy v. Ferguson decision affected blacks since the Jim Crow laws were legitimized. In turn, many would join the civil rights movement since they understood they will never be truly equal if they're separated. -
Brown v. Board of Education
In the Brown v. Board of Education court case, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This court case overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine that was established through the Plessy v. Ferguson decision. This court case ordered schools to work on desegregating school which was a success for a the civil rights movements since it was a step closer to their goal of equality. Efforts by black opponents of segregation proved to be successful. -
Murder of Emmett Till
Emmett Till was an African American teenager who was accused of flirting with a white woman. As a result, he was violently murdered at only fourteen years old. At his open-casket funeral, people witnessed Till's brutally mutilated body and a magazine published a photo of him that shocked America and brought attention to the cruelty of the Jim Crow laws in the South. -
Rosa Parks & the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was an African American women who was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white American. She explained she was tired but blacks leaders have been waiting for such incident so they could challenge segregation on buses. Rosa Parks was arrested which led to African Americans organizing a boycott known as the Montgomery Bus Boycott to demand an end to segregated seating. -
Founding of Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) & Martin Luther King
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was created in 1957 with Martin Luther King Jr. as their president. This organization was dedicated to abolish segregation in a non-violent manner. They helped to advance the cause of civil rights movement. -
Little Rock Nine & Central High School
In 1957, federal courts demanded the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas but many whites refused & attempted to prevent blacks from entering. President Eisenhower sent troops to make sure the court order was obeyed which would encourage those in the civil rights movement since they knew the president enforced that schools be integrated. The first 9 black students became known as the "Little Rock nine" and showed dignity through mobs, shouts, and threats. -
Greensboro Sit-In
In 1960, a African-American college students staged a sit in at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Series of nonviolent protests would occur throughout the South. This would lead to many facilities integrating, a huge success for the civil rights movement. -
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) & Freedom Summer
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in order to offer young blacks a role in the civil rights movement. The SNCC involved younger African-Americans who wanted the civil rights movement to make progress more rapidly. The Freedom Summer Project was a campaign intended to register as many African-American voters as possible in the state of Mississippi. These organizations played pivotal roles in the movement since it reflected blacks activism. -
Freedom Ride/Freedom Riders
In 1961, students began what they referred to as "freedom rides", bus rides through the South. They attempted to force the desegregation of buses but were sometimes faced with violence from whites. As a result, President Kennedy ordered the integration of buses and trains, a huge success for the civil rights movement. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington was held in Washington D.C to bring attention to African Americans' political and social challenges. This political rally showed how many people are united to achieve racial equality. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech which would be greatly remembered. The March on Washington helped push President John F. Kennedy to launch a civil right bill. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed by President Johnson which proved to banned discrimination based on race, religion, skin color, sex etc. The Jim Crow laws in the South were eliminated and it was now illegal to segregate races in public establishments, government or hiring. This proved to be a huge milestone in the Civil Rights Movement since it was a large step towards reaching equality for all including African-Americans. -
Assassination of Malcolm X
Malcom X was assassinated by Thomas Hagen as a result of multiple bullets to his chest. Many speculate that the Nation of Islam was behind his death since he left their organization to pursue civil rights and Hagen was a part of it. This was impactful to the civil rights movement since Malcolm X was a prominent leader and while he advocated violence when necessary, violence ultimately led to his death. -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made it easier for African Americans in the South to vote. Any tests or unnecessary requirement that were created in order to restrict blacks from voting were now illegal. African Americans now had political power and showed the civil rights movement was gaining momentum and progressing. The number of African Americans state legislators and members of congress also increased. -
Assassination of MLK
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot on the balcony of his hotel room at the in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray, a racist, was convicted of the crime. Upon hearing the news, cities were ignited from across the nation. MLK's assassination led to feelings of anger among many and national mourning that would lead to a legislative achievement of the civil rights movement. -
