Civil Rights Timeline

  • 3/5 Compromise

    3 out of every 5 enslaved people were counted when determining the total population for legislative representation and taxation for each state. Timetoast
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which finally ended slavery in America. Timetoast
  • Plessy Vs. Ferguson

    U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregation as constitutional based on the idea of African Americans being separate but equal. Timetoast
  • Harlem Renaissance Begins

    Harlem Renaissance Begins
    Black cultural mecca that resulted in social and artistic expression. It was considered a golden age in African American culture. Timetoast
  • Rosa Parks

    When a white man couldn’t find a seat in the white section of the bus, Rosa Parks was told to give up her seat. She refused to do so and was arrested. Timetoast
  • Emmet Till

    Emmet Till
    Quote: “Let the people see what they did to my boy.” - Mamie Till A 14 year old is brutally murdered for allegedly flirting with a white woman, his murder helped spark the civil rights movement when a magazine posted his dead body drawing attention to the brutality many African Americans were experiencing. Timetoast
  • Little Rock Desegregated

    To challenge the states' refusal to abide by desegregation laws, the NAACP enlisted nine African American students at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Though they experienced much harassment, the Little Rock Nine made a statement to the world. Timetoast
  • Greensboro Sit-Ins

    Four Freshman of the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina protested by sitting at an all whites lunch counter. They were denied service, but stayed until closing. This sparked sit-in movements across the country. Timetoast
  • 16th Street Baptist Church

    A bomb placed by the KKK exploded, killing 4 young girls and injuring 20 inside the church, it was noted that this was a direct racial attack which prompted many protests and garnered lots of attention from many. Timetoast
  • Black Panther Party

    Black Panther Party
    The Black Panther Party, was a political organization founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966 to fight against police brutality against African Americans. Timetoast
  • First Black Ambassador for the United Nations

    The United Nations appointed a black man to represent the US and helped to ease tensions in Zimbabwe. Timetoast
  • Oprah Winfrey

    Oprah Winfrey is one of the most influential women in America, overcoming poverty, physical abuse, and racial discrimination. Timetoast
  • Civil Rights Restoration Act

    Congress passed the Civil Rights Restoration Act in 1987, expanding the reach of non-discrimination laws in institutions receiving funds from the government. Timetoast
  • Carol Moseley Braun Elected to the U.S. Senate

    She was the first Black woman and the second Black American to be elected to the U.S. Senate. Timetoast
  • Obama Inauguration

    Obama Inauguration
    Quote: “With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.” - Barack Obama On January 20th, 2009, Barrack Obama was inaugurated as the first black president of the United States. Timetoast
  • Black Lives Matter Movement Begins

    Black Lives Matter Movement Begins
    Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi created a political movement-building project called Black Lives Matter in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman. Timetoast
  • Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer

    Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper, non-classical, or non-jazz musician to receive a Pulitzer prize for his album “DAMN”. Timetoast
  • George Floyd

    George Floyd
    George Floyd was killed by a police officer after he kneeled on his neck for over ten minutes. This dispute came about when Floyd purchased cigarettes at a drugstore, and the officer believed he used a counterfeit bill in the transaction. Timetoast
  • Michale B. Jordan Wins Sexiest Man Alive

    Michale B. Jordan Wins Sexiest Man Alive
    In 2020 Michael B. Jordan was awarded sexiest man alive by People magazine, showing progressiveness in beauty standards and embracing the beauty of different races. Timetoast
  • Kamala Harris Elected for VP

    Kamala Harris was inaugurated as the first female black VP. Timetoast