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Brown v. Topeka Board of Education
Brown v. Topeka Board of Education was a court case where the court declared state laws establishing segregated public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. This outlawed the Plessy . Ferguson of 1896 where racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine " seperate but equal" constitutional. This was important because it overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and it led the way for integration and was a victory of the Civil Rights Era. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks an African American woman refused to give up her seat to a white passanger on a bus after a long day. Due to the fact that it was the law, Rosa was arrested. When the news spread, many more African Americans began following Rosa in not taking part in riding the bus, starting a boycott. With no choice, the U.S Supreme Court ordered integration in the bus system. This was important because it pushed Martin Luther King Jr. To a position of leadership in the Civil Rights movement. -
Little Rock Crisis
As a result of Brown v. Topeka Board of Education, ending segregation in public schools, nine African American students enrolled at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. This created a problem among segregationalists and integrationists. When governor Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to keep the 9 students from entering school, president Eisenhower helped keep the 9 students safe. This was important because it was the first civil rights act to pass congress since the civil war. -
Freedom Riders
13 African Americans were recruited by congress racial equality, a civil rights group for their "freedom rides"-bus trips through the south to protest segregation in interstate bus terminals.The group of 13 tried to integrate "white only" places such as restrooms. In the next few months others also began made similar actions until segregation was banned in the bus and train stations nationwide. The importance was that it proved political and public relations success for the civil rights movement -
March on Washington
Leading from the Montgomery Bus Boycott incident, more than 200,000 African Americans gathered in Washington D.C to march for jobs and freedom. They peacefully demonstrated their support for the passage of a meaningful civil rights bill, ending segregation and for the creation of more jobs for the unemployed, This day is also known for MLK's speech "I have a dream"(in hope for the unity of the white and the black).This was important because it was intended to fight for their rights and MLK grew. -
24th Amendment Passes
This amendment ends the poll taxes, outlawing the poll tax as a voting requirement in federal elections. The poll taxes mostly aimed for African Americans so black voters had a hard time voting and the poll taxes instituted segregation. This was important because the taxes were something that prevented many blacks form voting, therefore ending any possible objection for achieving their civil rights -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
On July 2nd of 1964, the Civil rights act signed by president Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House outlawed discrimination on race, sex, national origin, religion and racial segregation in schools. This guaranteed equal protection of the laws creating a landmark In the Civil Rights Era. This was important because it empowered the equal opportunity commission to regulate fair employment and it showers a victory to the idea of the Civil Rights Era -integration and unity. -
Selma March
Martin Luther King Jr. Led thousands of nonviolent demonstrators to the Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. They walked 5 days/ 54 miles from Selma to campaign for voting rights. This resulted in brutality of law enforcement under sheriff Jim Clark, leading to many arrests. Police attacka against them increased but the marching did not stop, this resulted in a voting rights act later that year. This was important because it helped raise awareness of the difficulty faced by black voters in the south. -
Black Panthers founded
Formed in California, the Black Panthers were a revolutionary black nationalist and socialist organization that protected residents from police brutality.The panthers practiced militant self defense and believed that Martin Luther King's campaign failed. They were willing to use violence to get what they wanted; equality in education, housing, employment and civil rights. This was important because it signaled black nationalists and their increase of numbers meaning power to achieve their rights -
Martin Luther king Jr. assassinated
At age 39, Martin Luther King was shot at a hotel in Memphis Tennessee by James Earl Ray, a white fugitive from the Missouri state penitentiary. Martin was rushed to St. Joseph's hospital but he didn't survive. The death of America's leading Civil Rights advocate led to anger among black and some white Americans that produced many riots across the country. This also helped speed the way for an equal housing bill which was the last significant legislative achievement of the Civil Rights Era.
