-
Greensboro Sit ins
On February 1, 1960, four college students sat at a whites only lunch counter at Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina. They were not served but their protest helped start a movement. This action was a key moment in the fight for equal rights. -
Brown v. Board of Education
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education. The case was brought by Oliver Brown because his daughter Linda couldn't go to a white school. The Court decided that separate schools for white and Black children were wrong and must end. -
Murder of Emmett Till
On August 28, 1955, in Money, Mississippi while Emmett Till was on vacation visiting his cousins he whistled at a white women. He was later taken from where he was staying by Carolyn Bryant's husband the woman who Emmett whistled at. Ray Bryant
alongside his brother in law beat him Emmett Till to death. -
Little Rock 9
On September 4, 1455, the NAACP and Black students took action in Little Rock, Arkansas, to fight for equal rights. They were working to end segregation and make sure Black students had the same opportunities as others. This was important to the civil rights movement. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
The SCLC was an organization linked to the black churches. 60 black ministers were pivotal in organizing civil right activism. Martin Luther King Jr was elected President. They focused its non violent strategy on citizenship, schools and efforts to desegregate individual cities. It played key roles in the March on Washington in 1963 and the Voting Rights Campaign and March to Montgomery in 1965 -
Ruby Bridges
On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges became one of the first black children to attend a white school in New Orleans. She passed a hard test to get in and was escorted with her mom by federal marshals for her safety. Ruby was the only student in her class and was taught by one teacher. -
Freedom Riders
On May 4, 1161, 436 people traveled in 60 vehicles across the Southern states. The event was organized by the SNCC, NAACP, and the National Student Leadership Movement. It brought together people working for civil rights and racial equality. -
March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. with about 250,000 people attending. There was a peaceful protest for civil rights, and Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous *I Have a Dream" speech. This speech was the last one of the day and became a symbol of hope for equality. -
Civil Rights Act
On July 2, 1964, in Washington, D.C. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law with Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lyndon B. Johnson playing important roles. The law stopped racial discrimination in private businesses and public places based on race, color, religion, or national origin. It was an important step toward equality in the United States. -
Assassination of Malcom X
Malcolm X was leading figure in the Civil Rights movement he was assassinated on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City.
Thomas Hagan and two other men were the ones shot him, they were part of a group that was tied to the Nation of Islam. His death left an impact on the Civil Rights movement. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches
On March 7, 1965, in Selma, Alabama The Selma to Montgomery Marches, also known as Bloody Sunday happened. Led by the SCLC and John Lewis, peaceful protesters were attacked by police.
This event helped lead to the Voting Rights Act as everyone got to see how the Blacks were treated and it was an eye opener. -
Voting Rights Act
On August 6, 1965, in Washington D.C. Lyndon B. Johnson decided to ban literacy tests and poll taxes that were used to stop people from voting. The decision made it clear that voting rights were a federal matter and was not something states should control. This was an important step toward making voting fairer for everyone. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis, Tennessee, by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Motel. MLK a key person of the civil rights movement was shot while standing on the motel's balcony. His death shocked the country and led to many people calling for justice. -
Rosa Parks Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was an African American woman who was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus for a white man. This lead to Montgomery bus boycott that was led by Martin Luther King Jr.
African Americans refused to ride the busses for over a year.