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Jackie Robinson enters Major League Baseball
Jackie Robinson entered the MLB as the first African American to play in the Major Leagues in the modern era. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and began his historic baseball career. -
Executive Order 9981 signed by President Truman
This executive order was put in place to abolish racial discrimination in the United States Armed Forces. It eventually led to the end of segregation in the services. -
Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Ruling
Brown v. Board of Education ruled that it was unconstitutional to separate children in public schools because of their race. It ended legalized racial segregation of schools in the United States. -
Emmett Till is murdered
Emmett Till was an 14 year old, African American. He was murdered four days after allegedly flirting with a white woman. He was murdered and kidnapped by the woman's husband and brother in law. -
Rosa Parks Arrest
Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama for disorderly conduct as she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. She also lost her job due to her participating in the boycott. -
Greensboro Sit-In Protest
The Greensboro Sit-In was a nonviolent protest against a segregated lunch counter. It led to the Woolworth Company department store chain removing its racial segregation policy. -
The Birmingham Children’s March
The Birmingham Children’s March was a non violent protest against segregation. It was held by black children from May 2nd to May 10th of 1963. It is credited with causing a major shift in attitudes against segregation among Americans. -
Integration of Ole Miss Riots
On September 30, 1962, on the campus of the University of Mississippi, riots erupted where locals, students, and committed segregationist gathered to protest the enrollment of a black Air Force veteran who attempted to integrate the all white school. -
March on Washington / I Have a Dream Speech
The I Have a Dream Speech was a public speech spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was a Baptist Minister and an American Civil Rights activist. The purpose of the March on Washington/ I Have a Dream Speech was to demand an end to segregation, voting rights, education, economic justice, fair wages, and civil rights protections. -
16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
The 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing was by a white supremacists terrorist group, they were members of the Ku Klux Klan. One day, they placed a bomb under the steps of the church and let it explode with people in it. There were three 14 year olds and one 11 year old that lost their life due to this tragedy. Their names were Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robinson and Cynthia Wesley. -
Freedom Summer
Freedom Summer was a voter registration drive aimed at increasing the number of registered black voters in Mississippi. Hundreds of college students participated with many differences but they are went for that one reason. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964 is passed
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended racial discrimination in public accommodations. Along with segregation/discrimination in businesses, public education, and federally assisted programs. Examples are: hotels, restaurants, theaters and many more. This act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson hours after it was passed by Congress. -
Black Panther Party is formed
The Black Panther Party was formed to protect black communities against police brutality. It was also an affect of the assassination of Malcolm X. -
Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruling
The Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting interracial marriage were unconstitutional. It also violated the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment. -
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated by James Earl Ray. Dr. King was standing outside on his balcony of the hotel he was staying at in Memphis, Tennessee.