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Brown v Board of Education/II
In 1952, Brown challenged the Board of Education in Kansas. It was initially going not too well, then the NAACP and their lawyer, Thurgood Marshall, sided with Brown and together, they pushed the case to the Supreme Court, where they ruled racial segregation in schools unconstitutional. This court case lasted until May 17th, 1954. -
White Citizens Council
Founded in 1954, the White Citizens Council was made up of white supremacies in order to take over the south and stop the black people from getting what they want. The WCC used their supremacist power to backfire plans and did anything possible to stop blacks from ruling the south, as they wanted to keep the south for themselves and rule over the blacks just like they had before. -
Lynching of Emmitt Till
Emmitt Till was just 14 years old when he went to visit his uncle in the South. He was outside a white grocery store then his friends told him to go into the store and talk to a white woman. He took the bet and said two words to a white woman: "Bye Baby." These words would trigger the husband of the white woman and his friend, as they took Emmitt Till, beat him up so bad, and lynched him, eventually killing him. -
Rosa Parks Arrest
Rosa Parks was an active member in the Civil Rights Movement and one of the key people in the NAACP. Rosa Parks and the NAACP have been planning to desegregate buses in Alabama, but had to start with an arrest in order to progress with their plan, so Rosa Parks volunteered to go into the bus and get arrested for the sake of this project, and on December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks sat in the front of the bus and refused to move for a white man and thus was arrested. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
As a result of Rosa Parks' arrest, the NAACP worked on and exercised the Montgomery Bus Boycott, as not one black person took the bus for 381 days. This boycott was successful, as in 1956, the Supreme Court declared the segregation of buses in Alabama was unconstitutional, thus giving blacks the right to sit anywhere on the bus. -
Martin Luther King House Bombing
On September 30, 1956, MLK Jr.'s house was bombed by white segregationists after the success of his Montgomery Bus Boycott. After working with Rosa Parks and the NAACP, King gained popularity in Montgomery, causing him to have haters as well. These haters bombed his house, but thankfully King wasn't there, so it was a backfire for the segregationists, as they continued to protest King's beliefs and caused violence all throughout Montgomery, Alabama. -
Bombing of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth
On December 25, 1956, the KKK came to Rev. Shuttlesworth's house and bombed it with his family inside. Although no one was hurt, Shuttlesworth's home and church were destroyed. The KKK did not like Shuttlesworth, attempting to kill him 4 more times after but coming up short. Rev. Shuttlesworth continued to work with MLK Jr and other leaders on the path to peace -
SCLC Founded
Founded by MLK Jr., the SCLC exercised change through nonviolent efforts throughout the Civil Rights Movement. Known as one of the best organizations in black history, the SCLC was one of the most well-known organizations in the C.R.M., telling others that the way to fight for freedom is not by violence, but by nonviolence. This new idea was heard all around, as a lot of nonviolent efforts were held all throughout the south and spread north. Today, SCLC continue to fight for equality. -
Eisenhower sends In federal troops
Around the time the Little Rock 9 first came to a white school, many white people surrounded them and caused a havoc, throwing things and yelling to the point where the police wasn't enough to hold them back, so Eisenhower had no choice but to include federal troops to prevent the whites from hurting the Little Rock Nine. These troops personally protected the 9 and their families and also held back the rioters as well. -
SNCC Formed
Founded in April of 1960, the black community wanted to get students involved in these protests in order for action to be taken quicker on their path to freedom. SNCC was created in order for children to have a voice in this great Civil Rights Movement. Although many children were arrested for their efforts, SNCC continued to find ways to contribute and be heard without giving up to nobody else. -
Greensboro sit-ins
Starting on February 1st, 1960, a group of black students sat at a segregated lunch counter at Woolworth's and refused to get up. Although they were arrested, their efforts sparked people all over as they attempted to do the same, causing North Carolina and other states to desegregate their lunch counters along with other public places. -
Freedom Rides
Organized by the SNCC and CORE, freedom rides were taken from Virginia and planned to end In the deep southern states of Louisiana. Freedom Riders were a mix of black and white people who rode in buses with blacks in the front and whites in the back. Their goal was to desegregate public transportation. They were doing well, until they were bombed in Alabama. This bombing stopped their whole plan, but was seen all over, making the whites responsible look guilty. The bombing caused riots too. -
White mob attacks federal marshals in Montgomery
While the Freedom Riders were on their way to New Orleans, they were stopped by a white mob in Montgomery. The robbers blew up one bus and stopped the other, beating up significant people until federal marshals were called in, but the fun don't stop there, as the mobbers continued their rage and abused some marshals as well. This event made blacks rage, as the fury continued to grow on as the Movement continued. -
Albany Georgia "failure"
Known as one of the biggest failures in black history, the Albany Movement for peace and freedom was a huge setback for the way to freedom for Afro Americans. The intended way of doing this was to go at it nonviolently and march for freedom, but no one listened, as more than 1,000 arrests were made, causing the plan for desegregation at public places to backfire. This was known as MLK's biggest failure, as he took what he learned from Albany and moved it into Birmingham, where it was a success -
Bailey v Patterson
In 1962, a group of black people in Mississippi claimed that they were racially discriminated because of the color of their skin. This case was taken up all the way to the Supreme Court, where they ruled that the states have no right to segregate or discriminate anyone based on the skin of their color for public transport. -
Kennedy sends in federal troops
Another one of the biggest riots was in Ole Miss when a black student entered the college campus. Kennedy sent some troops to protect the boy and also the rioters who didn't accept him. -
MLK goes to a Birmingham jail
As the events in Birmingham continued to escalate, MLK figured that he couldn't do anything while watching his fellow brothers and sisters were being arrested, so he decided that the only way that he could progress towards freedom is to join them, so he led a group and marched In Birmingham, causing his arrest, which he humbly took. His arrest struck everyone, as they continued to march and get arrested. MLK was eventually released a short time later, but his arrest was a peak event. -
Equal Pay Act of 1963
The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was a law passed by Congress and signed by JFK guaranteeing equal pay for men and women alike in any job that they work together. Women have been working towards equal rights for centuries, demanding equal pay, the right to vote, etc. When the Equal Pay Act was passed, this was a huge step for women, as they continued to fight for equal rights to this day. -
Assassination of Medgar Evers
Medgar Evers was a Civil Rights activists who also believed that African Americans deserve a chance to be free. He was an active member of the NAACP, traveling around his home state of Mississippi encouraging poor African American people to register to vote and telling them to become members in the Civil Rights Movement. His efforts were heard by many, including the white people of the South, and on June 12, 1963, Medgar was shot down on his driveway in Jackson, Mississippi. -
March on Washington: "I Have A Dream"
By far the most biggest event In the Civil Rights Movement. Thousands of black people marched all the way to Washington and gave speeches demanding for freedom and equality. The biggest one was MLK Jr's "I Have A Dream" speech, still striking the hearts of the world today. This march was the first thing that everyone in the world really saw and heard and were really impacted. After the March on Washington, more laws were passed, causing more riots, but still the march made blacks more free -
Bombing of Birmingham Church
The 16th Street Bombing on September 15th, 1963, was probably one of the most heartbreaking events in black history. Some innocent black families were just trying to go to church as they regularly do, but then BOOM, 4 dead, 22 injured. This broke the hearts of the families and friends of those who died, as the black community were now furious and demanded for the people behind the bombing to be served justice. -
Assassination of John F Kennedy
John F Kennedy was a great president during the Civil Rights Movement. He was a beloved figure for the Afro Americans, as he worked with MLK Jr and passed laws that brought the Afro American community closer to freedom. He was in Dallas riding in his car when he was shot in the back of the head by a sniper still unheard of to this day. This tragic death also struck the hearts of many Americans and Afro Americans alike, as JFK was one of the only presidents who actually took action for blacks. -
Freedom Summer
Freedom Summer was a project initiated in Mississippi on June of 1964 in order to get as many African Americans as possible to register to vote. Many African American did register to vote, as this project proved to be a huge success for the black population in the South. -
XXIV (24th) Amendment
Another huge step in the Civil Rights Movement was the passing of the 24th Amendment, which prohibits Congress or state government from conditioning the right to vote on the payment of a poll tax. This gave anyone the right to vote without having to pay the state or government a tax. this had a huge impact on blacks, as everyone, poor or not, 18 or older, could vote without paying. -
Killing of Goodman, Chaney, Schwerner
Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, both white New Yorkers, accompanied by James Chaney, a local African American man who had joined CORE in 1963, mysteriously disappeared in Mississippi, and the FBI opened a case looking for them. They found the bodies near an old worn car and were reported dead at the scene. Americans everywhere were shocked with the news, as they continued their efforts for peace, freedom, and equality. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was one of the biggest things to happen to the black population. The document said that there will no longer be no discrimination based on color of skin, religion, race, sex, or national origin. This act made the fight for freedom much easier, as this federal law made it easier for the black population to go anywhere and say whatever they wanted without police interference. Although their job wasn't done, this was a huge step to absolute freedom. -
Assassination of Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a beloved figured for the black population in America. Although he had different beliefs than MLK Jr, they both wanted freedom, but Malcolm X urged everyone to go back home to Africa. He exercised Islam and was a minister for the Black Muslim population. On February 21st, 1965, Malcolm X was giving a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City when he was shot point blank in the chest by masked men. Another emotional death and today, no one knows who shot Malcolm X. -
Selma to Montgomery March
With the goal of registering as many black voters as possible, Afro Americans took a 54 mile march from Selma to Montgomery in order to get the attention of many and get their goal accomplished. On their way there, they were met with much challenge, with police and white mobs attacking any chance they could get. Regardless, they continued to march no matter what. With he protection of the National Guard, they made it and shortly, after, the Voting Rights Act was put into law in 1965. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965, effective on August 8th, 1965, was a federal law that gave everyone the right to vote regardless of skin color, meaning no racial discrimination for voters all over. Another huge step for blacks, as there would be no criticism or hate towards their political thoughts. -
Black Panthers Formed
The Black Panther Party formed in Oakland California in order to protect the blacks from police brutality. Many black would risk their lives to fight back and protect their fellow brothers and sisters. They spread throughout the big cities, quickly reducing police brutality rated significantly. The Black Panthers were knows as heroes for the black community and were acknowledged all throughout the black community. -
Loving v Virginia
An interracial couple was trying to get married, but the state of Virginia denied their request, so they took it to the Supremem Court, where they ruled that states must grant the right to interracial marriage. -
Minneapolis Riots
On July 19, 1967, tensions abrupt in North Minneapolis as the way to peace and equality for blacks continued. This was different though, as blacks rioted the streets, yelling and screaming and burning buildings to the point where police involved weaponry and armor in order to stop the terror on the streets of Minneapolis. One causality was reported, but the damage was still catastrophic. -
Detroit Riots
Known as one of the bloodiest riots in the "Long, Hot Summer of 1967," with 43 reported deaths and 342 injured, 1,400 buildings burned, 7,000 U.S. National Guard called, and even some Army Troops. The epicenter of this riot was 12th street, where blacks and police fought each other for days straight. Blacks everywhere started to move in as more and more troops were called up. This was by far the bloodiest event in the Civil Rights Movement. -
Assassination of MLK Jr
MLK Jr was one of the greatest black leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. He was one of the founders of the SCLC and encouraged nonviolent efforts in order to quicken the way to freedom. When he was assassinated in Memphis, many Afro Americans became emotional and rioted everywhere, demanding for justice and peace. MLK Jr's death struck the hearts of everyone all over. -
Assassination of Robert "Bobby" Kennedy
Bobby Kennedy, much like his brother JFK, believed that it was time to end segregation in America. He was a senator and traveled to Los Angeles to spread his word on peace and equality in America when he was shot in his Los Angeles hotel. His death was around the time the Vietnam War was at its peek, so his death was mourned by several people.
