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Brown V. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education ruled that schools could not be separated by race. The court decided that "separate but equal" was unfair and harmful. This case helped end segregation in schools. It was a big step forward for civil rights. -
Murder of Emmett Till
Emmett Till was a Black teenager who was killed for allegedly whistling at a white woman. His murderers were found not guilty, even though there was strong evidence against them. His mother held an open-casket funeral to show the world what happened to him. His death shocked the country and helped inspire the civil rights movement. -
Rosa Parks and the bus boycott
Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. She was arrested, which led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Black people stopped riding buses to protest unfair segregation laws. The boycott lasted over a year and led to buses being desegregated. It was a major victory for the civil rights movement. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The SCLC was an organization linked to the black churches. 60 black ministers were pivotal in organizing civil right activism. Martin Luther King Jr was elected President. They focused its non violent strategy on citizenship, schools and efforts to desegregate individual cities. It played key roles in the March on Washington in 1963 and the Selma Voting Rights Campaign and March to Montgomery in 1965. -
Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine were a group of Black students who integrated an all-white high school. Many white people protested and tried to stop them from entering. The president sent soldiers to protect the students. They faced threats and bullying but still went to school. Their bravery helped end segregation in education. -
Greensboro Sit-Ins
The Greensboro Sit-Ins were started by four Black college students. They sat at a “whites-only” lunch counter and asked to be served. When they were refused, they kept coming back each day. Their peaceful protest inspired sit-ins all over the country. It helped bring attention to segregation and pushed for change. -
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to attend an all-white school in New Orleans. Angry white people protested, and other students stopped coming to class. For a long time, it was just Ruby and her teacher in the classroom. She faced threats but kept going to school every day. -
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were Black and white activists who rode buses to challenge segregation. They sat together in whites only areas to protest unfair laws. Angry mobs attacked them but they kept going. Theis led to changes in bus segregation rules. They helped push the civil rights movement forward. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington was a big protest for civil rights. Thousands of people came to demand equal rights and jobs. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech their. The march help bring attention to unfair laws. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act made segregation illegal in public places. It also stop job discrimination based on race, color, or gender. Many people fought hard to get this law passed -
Assassination of Malcom X
Malcolm X was a civil rights leader who fought for Black empowerment. He was shot and killed while giving a speech. Three men were arrested for his murder. His death was a big loss for the civil rights movement. Many people still study his ideas today. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches (Bloody Sunday)
The Selma to Montgomery marches were protests for voting rights. Black marchers faced violence from police and white mobs. Despite the danger, they marched 54 miles to the state capital. The marches led to the Voting Rights Act being passed. They were a major event in the civil rights movement. -
Voting Rights Act (1965)
The Voting Rights Act made it illegal to stop people from voting because of their race. It ended unfair rules like literacy tests that targeted Black voters. The law was passed after the Selma to Montgomery marches. It helped many Black Americans register to vote. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King was a civil rights leader who fought for equality. He was shot and killed at a motel. His death led to riots and sadness across the country. The man who shot him was arrested. People still honor his work and legacy today.