Civil Rights Timeline

By 2kwstrr
  • Dred Scott Decision

    U.S. Supreme Court stated that enslaved people were not citizens of the United States and, therefore, could not expect any protection from the federal government or the courts. The opinion also stated that Congress had no authority to ban slavery from a federal territory. This decision moved the nation a step closer to the Civil War.
  • Harlem Renaissance

    Harlem Renaissance
    -Allowed african americans to express their emotions through music and art
    -Gave african americans identity and a new social consciousness
    -Provided a foundation for the Civil Rights Movement
  • Brown v Board of Education

    Supreme Court ruled that separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional. The court's decision declared to separate facilities for white and African American students.
  • Montgomery Bus Boycott

    Rosa Parks boarded a city bus in Montgomery. Rosa Parks was asked to surrender her seat to a white passenger.
  • Little Rock Nine

    The first African American students to desegregate Little Rock Central High School. The goal was to fight for Civil Rights Movement for equality.
  • Freedom Rides

    A diverse group of activists, deliberately violated segregation laws on buses and in terminals. That provoked a response from the federal government.
  • “I Have A Dream” Speech by MLK

    "Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in." At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
    Influenced the government to take action towards making Americans equal.
  • March on Washington

    A massive protest against racial discrimination and in support of civil rights legislation pending in congress. It was widely considered one of the most successful nonviolent mass demonstrations.
  • Civil Rights Act

    Movement prohibited discrimination in public places. Signed by President Lyndon Johnson
  • Voting Rights Act

    Removed race-based restrictions on voting
    One of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation in US history
    Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson
  • Shirley Chisholm First Black Woman Elected into US Congress

    she was an effective advocate for minorities
    campaigned for the Democratic Party presidential nomination
    fought racial and sexist opposition (“Unbought and Unbossed”)
  • Black History Month Established

    Carter G. Woodson’s dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of black people led to the establishment of Black History Month
  • Andrew Young became America’s first Black American ambassador to the United Nations

    Jimmy Carter appointed Young
    Young helped draft the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act
  • Harriet Tubman became the first African American on US postage stamp

    Provided recognition for her impact in abolishing slavery
    She helped free more than 700 slaves
  • First African American in Space

    First African American in Space
    Dr. Guy Bluford
    Launched on the STS-8 mission
    More than 28 days in space
  • Douglas Wilder became the first Black American to become governor

    66th governor of Virginia (1990-1994)
    American lawyer and politician
  • Barack Obama Becomes First African American President

    “All presidencies matter, but none in modern American life will have similarly animated, reflected or collided with so many of the oft-overlooked cultural and social forces at play in the country.” Member of the democratic party
    44th president
    Two-terms
  • Beginning of Black Lives Matter Protest

    Beginning of Black Lives Matter Protest
    Death of Trayvon Martin
    The phrase “Black Lives Matter” was created by Alicia Garza
    Rally to combat racism and police brutality
  • Black Lives Matter GLOBAL Protest

    Black Lives Matter GLOBAL Protest
    Death of George Floyd on May 25th
    Killed by a white police officer named Derek Chauvin
  • Kamala Harris elected as Vice President

    Kamala Harris elected as Vice President
    49th vice president of the US
    First woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to be elected as vice president