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Emmett Till’s Murder
Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American, was lynched in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman. His brutal murder and the subsequent open-casket funeral held by his mother sparked outrage and became a major catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement. -
Bus Boycott
After Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man, African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama, organized a year-long boycott of the city’s bus system. The boycott led to a Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional. -
Little Rock Nine Crisis
Nine African American students, known as the Little Rock Nine, faced violent opposition as they attempted to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. President Eisenhower sent federal troops to enforce the integration. -
Founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders founded the SCLC to coordinate nonviolent protests and civil rights campaigns across the South. The organization played a key role in the movement's success. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
The first civil rights legislation passed since Reconstruction, this act created the Civil Rights Commission and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, aimed at protecting voting rights, though its impact was limited. -
Greensboro Sit-In
Four African American students sat at a "whites-only" lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, sparking a wave of sit-ins across the South. This protest led to the desegregation of many public spaces. -
Freedom Rides
A group of black and white activists rode interstate buses to challenge segregation in public transportation. They were met with violent resistance, but their actions highlighted the need for change in the South. -
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
Over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., to demand racial equality, jobs, and freedom. It was here that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, ending segregation in public places and banning employment discrimination. -
March from Selma to Montgomery
Thousands of people marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to demand voting rights. The march was met with violent resistance, but it ultimately led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, particularly in the South, by banning literacy tests and other discriminatory practices. -
Fair Housing Act
This legislation prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on race, religion, or national origin, helping to address racial segregation in housing. -
Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
The Supreme Court ruled that public schools could be racially integrated using busing, a decision that was met with both support and opposition across the country. -
Shirley Chisholm’s Presidential Campaign
Shirley Chisholm became the first African American woman to run for president as a major party candidate. Her campaign highlighted the intersection of race and gender in American politics. -
Hank Aaron’s Home Run Record
Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s long-standing record for career home runs, becoming a symbol of racial progress and excellence in professional sports. -
Barbara Jordan’s Address at the Democratic National Convention
Barbara Jordan became the first African American woman to deliver a keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, symbolizing the growing political influence of African Americans. -
University of California Regents v. Bakke
The Supreme Court ruled on affirmative action, affirming that race could be considered in college admissions, but rejecting quotas. The case set a precedent for future affirmative action policies.