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19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment makes it illegal to be denied voting rights on account of gender. The Amendment was heavily influenced by women suffrage advocates, particularly Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Over time the Amendment was ratified by all 48 states (Hawaii and Alaska were not yet states). -
The Little Rock Nine
Nine African American students attempted to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. These students were faced with many insults and acts of violence but were determined to desegregate public schools. They were known as the Little Rock Nine. Eight of the nine students finished out the year at Central High. -
Freedom Riders Faced With Violence
Freedom Riders are faced with violence. Seven African Americans and six whites board two buses in Washington, D.C. When the bus reached Anniston Alabama the passengers were attacked by a white mob. The mob bombed the bus through a window and beat the passengers as they fled. -
Equal Pay Act
The Equal Pay Act prohibits "employers from discriminating on the basis of sex by paying wages to employees at a rate less than the rate paid to employees of the opposite sex for equal work on jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility, and which are performed under similar working conditions." The EPA was signed in to law by John F. Kennedy. The Act reduced sex discrimination in America. -
MLK Speech: "I Have A Dream"
Martin Luther King Jr., “I have a dream” speech is delivered from the Lincoln Memorial. MLK spoke of the dream he had for a better America; a dream that America will be truly free of discrimination, racism, and prejudice. Martin Luther King supported nonviolent actions for change. -
Civil Rights Act
The Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, or religion. The Act also made it illegal for segregation in public facilities. This Act lead to desegregation of schools and broke the barriers of racial injustices in America. -
Molcolm X Assassinated
Civil Rights activist Malcolm X was assassinated while speaking in New York City. Malcolm X was seen as an extremist for Black Nationalism and encouraged violent actions for change. He traveled to Mecca and returned a changed man; he converted from the Nation of Islam to orthodox Islam. This change angered the Black Muslims and they shot him during his speech. -
“Yo Soy Joaquin” Published
The poem “Yo Soy Joaquin” was published. Written by Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales, as a political statement for Latino rights. “The poem describes the difficulty of retaining a Mexican identity while living in American society”. -
American Indian Movement
American Indian Movement (AIM) was created. This movement was to protest unfair actions toward American Indians. According to AIM, the number of Indians in jail in Minneapolis decreased by sixty percent. -
Stonewall Riots
Police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar. The Stonewall riots created publicity for the gay pride movement in America. New York forbid homosexuality, making police raids common. This day is a universally known anniversary prompting gay pride events all over the world. -
Womens Strike for Equality
The National Organization for Women created the Women’s Strike for Equality. This date was the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Their slogan for the campaign was “Don’t iron while the strike is hot”. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
The act is made up of three titles: Title I prohibits disability discrimination by employers. Titles II and III require disability access in all public facilities. The Act is based off of previous laws for race and gender equality entitling disabled Americans to civil rights.
