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Four African-American students stage a sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, sparking similar protests around the country.
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Freedom Riders travel through the South, facing violent opposition from segregationists.
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James Meredith is the first African-American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi, sparking riots and federal intervention.
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Birmingham protests lead to the jailing of Martin Luther King Jr. and the use of fire hoses and police dogs against demonstrators.
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The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is held, where King delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech.
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The Civil Rights Act is passed, outlawing discrimination based on race and gender.
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Bloody Sunday occurs in Selma, AL, as marchers for voting rights face violent opposition
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Race riots erupt in cities across the US, including Detroit and Newark
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Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, TN, sparking riots nationwide.
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The Kent State shootings occurred during student protests against the Vietnam War, killing four students and injuring nine others.