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Why Sit Here and Die
Maria W. Stewart -
Fredrick Douglass
Douglass was born into slavery in 1838, eventually becoming one of the most influential abolitionist speakers. His firsthand accounts of the brutality and dehumanization of slavery provided credibility and emotional power to the abolitionist cause. -
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist and activist who escaped slavery and then risked her life to lead enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Later she even advocated for women's suffrage! -
Sojourner Truth
Born into slavery as Sojourner Truth escaped to freedom and became a powerful abolitionist and women's rights activist. She is best known for her speech "Ain't I a Woman?" delivered at the 1851 Women's Rights Convention, which highlighted the similarities of race and gender in the fight for equality. -
The Emancipation Proclamation
Declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate states. While it did not immediately end slavery, it allowed more focus on abolition and paved the way for the 13th Amendment. -
W.E.B. Du Bois
W.E.B. Du Bois was a civil rights activist who co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. He was a leading advocate for racial equality, being a author as well to challenge systemic racism. He worked through his persistent activism. -
Brown v. Board of Education \
This Supreme Court case declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" belief. It was a major victory for the civil rights movement and set the stage for further desegregation efforts. -
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
Sparked by Rosa Parks arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, the Montgomery Bus Boycott was a year-long protest against racial segregation on public buses. Led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr, it resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional. -
Martin Luthor King Jr.
King's leadership and the broader civil rights movement led to victories, including The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to overcome legal barriers preventing African Americans from their right to vote.These laws were important in changing views on racism in the United States. -
The March on Washington/I Have A Dream Speech
One of the largest political rallies for human rights in U.S. history, the March on Washington brought over 250,000 people to the Lincoln Memorial. It was here that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, bringing tons of support for civil rights. -
Bloody Sunday
A peaceful march organized by civil rights leaders to demand voting rights for African Americans. They were met my local law enforcement who tried to stop the march with violent force. The brutal assault was captured by news cameras and broadcast nationwide, shocking the public and drawing attention to the civil rights struggle. -
Short story "Sweat" was written
Zora Neale Hurston -
Forgotten History
Terry Gross