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Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education ended racial segregation in schools. The case was against “separate but equal” which allowed schools to be segregated. They argued that separate but equal facilities were just unequal. The ruling was a victory for the civil rights movement, ending racial segregation in public schools. -
Murder of Emmett Till
Emmett Till was a 14 year old boy who was brutally murdered after whistling at a white woman. Her husband and her brother in law kidnapped Till, where they killed and dumped his body in a river. The event brought attention to African Americans who feared for their lives. Many joined the Civil Rights Movement, in hopes to end racial discrimination. -
Rosa Parks and the Bus Boycott
In 1955, Rosa Parks entered a bus and sat down in the colored section. As the bus started filling up, she was asked to give up her seat for the whites. She refused to move and was arrested. The Bus Boycott started and people refused to ride the buses. The boycott resulted in the Supreme Court ruling that it was unconstitutional to have segregated buses. -
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 9
The Little Rock Nine was a group of nine students who attended Central High School after segregated schools were ruled unconstitutional. They faced violent crowds and endured abuse from white segregationists. They continued to attend the high school despite the violence. The Little Rock Nine advanced the civil rights movement and later graduated high school. -
Greensboro Sit-ins
On February 1st, 1940, 4 college students entered and sat in the counter that was only permitted for whites. The waitstaff refused to serve them and contacted the police. However, they couldn’t do anything about it because they were paying customers. The 4 college students returned along with other protesters who filled the area. By July of 1940, Woolworth’s Lunch Counter had been serving blacks. -
Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was the first black child to attend an all white school. She was the only student taught by one teacher that was willing to accept her. Ruby had to be escorted by the Federal Marshals due to the angry crowds and racial slurs. Her bravery was admired, but her family suffered consequences and lost their jobs. Eventually, other African Americans were allowed to enroll due to her commitment. -
Freedom Riders
In 1961, the Freedom Riders rode interstate buses to challenge racial segregation. There were 436 individuals on 60 separate rides. The Freedom Riders wanted to test the ruling that ended segregated buses. They faced violence, threats, arrests, and still played a role in the civil rights moment. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington was a peaceful protest that took place on August 28, 1963. 250,000 people of black and white races gathered in Washington D.C to fight for jobs and freedom. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I have a dream” speech. He spoke about the injustice and racism of society. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a law that prohibited racial discrimination and segregation based on race, color, religion, or national origin in private businesses and public facilities. The act was a result of African American's endurance of inequality. It was a major victory for the civil rights movement. -
Assassination of Malcom X
Malcom X was an African American leader and advocate. He was assassinated on February 21st, 1965. Malcom X was assassinated by members of the Nation of Islam while he was speaking at a ballroom in New York City. Many people across the nation mourned and visited his body to pay their respects. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches
The Selma to Montgomery Marches were a series of marches for African American voting rights. The first march was known as Bloody Sunday because of the attacks the protesters faced. On March 21st, thousands of protesters marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The marches led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which gave African Americans voting rights. -
Voting Rights Act (1965)
Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the Voting Rights Act was an act to end racial discrimination in voting. It banned the discriminated tests that were used to prevent African Americans from voting. The Voting Rights Act was also an attempt to expand African American’s political contribution. The act was a success after years of injustice and activism. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King was a civil rights activist and leader. On April 4, 1968, he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. James Earl Ray shot Martin Luther King while he was standing on the balcony of the Loraine Motel. King was rushed to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead. On April 7th, many businesses and schools were closed for a day of mourning.