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Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court case ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. It overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine from Plessy V. Ferguson. The case was brought by Oliver Brown, whose daughter had to travel far to attend a black school. The ruling was a major victory for the civil rights movement. -
Murder of Emmett Till
14 year old Emmett Rill was brutally murdered in Mississippi for allegedly whistling at a white woman. His killers were found not guilty by an all white jury, despite strong evidence. Till’s mother held an open casket funeral to show the world the violence of racism. His murder helped spark national outrage and fueled the civil rights movement. -
Rosa Parks and the Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest led to the Montgomery bus boycott, which lasted over a year. The boycott was led by Martin Luther king jr. and greatly impacted segregation laws. In 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The SCLC was founded by Martin Luther king jr and other civil rights leaders. It focused on nonviolent protests to fight racial discrimination. The group helped organize major events like the march on Washington. The SCLC played a key role in the passage of civil rights laws. -
Little Rock Nine
Nine black students enrolled at the all-white central high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. They faced violent mobs and were blocked by the Arkansas national guard. President Eisenhower sent federal troops to protect the students. Their courage helped push forward school desegregation. -
Greensboro Sit-ins
Four black college students sat at a whites only lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. They refused to leave and inspired sit-ins across the country. The protests led to the desegregation of many public places. The sit-ins showed the power of peaceful resistance. -
Ruby Bridges
Six year old Ruby Bridges became the first Black student to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans. She had to be escorted by federal marshals due to threats from angry crowds. Many white parents pulled their children out of the school. Ruby’s bravery made her a symbol of the civil rights movement. -
Freedom Riders
Black and white activists rode buses through the South to protest segregation. They faced violent attacks from white mobs and police. The Freedom Riders wanted to enforce Supreme Court rulings that banned bus segregation. Their bravery led to stricter enforcement of desegregation laws. -
March on Washington
Over 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C., to demand civil rights and jobs. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. The march was peaceful and showed strong support for racial equality. It helped pressure Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act. -
Civil Rights Act
This law banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It made segregation in public places illegal. It also strengthened voting rights for Black Americans. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law. -
Assassination of Malcom X
Malcolm X was a civil rights leader who advocated for Black empowerment. He was assassinated while giving a speech in New York City. His death came after tensions grew between him and the Nation of Islam. His legacy continues to influence civil rights movements today. -
Bloody Sunday
Civil rights activists marched from Selma to Montgomery to demand voting rights. On March 7, police violently attacked marchers on a day known as “Bloody Sunday.” The violence shocked the nation and gained support for voting rights. The marches helped lead to the Voting Rights Act. -
Voting Rights Act
This law protected the voting rights of Black Americans. It banned literacy tests and other barriers used to stop Black people from voting. Federal officials were sent to monitor elections in the South. The law was a major victory for civil rights activists. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Lorraine Motel. He was in Memphis to support striking sanitation workers. His death led to riots in cities across the U.S. His legacy continues to inspire movements for equality.