civil rights timeline By seandeyle Period: Jan 1, 1955 to Dec 31, 1971 Civil rights timeline Dec 1, 1955 Rosa Parks arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a public bus Dec 2, 1955 Montgomery bus boycott Sep 1, 1957 Governor Farbus of Arkansas brings in National Guard to prevent black students from going into a white school Feb 1, 1960 Sit in at Woolworth's lunch counter May 14, 1961 Freedom riders bus burned Jan 1, 1962 The Other America written by Michael Harrington Mar 1, 1963 Peaceful demonstrators ruthlessly attacked in Birmingham, Alabama- MLK arrested Apr 1, 1963 MLK writes Letter from a Birmingham jail- while locked up Aug 28, 1963 March on Washington Aug 28, 1963 "I have a dream" speech given by Martin Luther King Nov 22, 1963 John F. Kennedy assasinated Nov 22, 1963 Lyndon B. Johnson becomes President Jan 23, 1964 24th amendment passed Jun 1, 1964 Civil Rights bill passed Jan 1, 1965 Voting rights act 1965 Feb 1, 1965 Malcom x dies Aug 1, 1965 watts riots Apr 4, 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. assasinated Jan 1, 1971 forced bussing