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Brown vs Board of Education
The name given to five separate cases that were heard by the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the issue of segregation in public schools. These cases were Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Briggs v. Elliot, Davis v. Board of Education of Prince Edward County (VA.), Boiling v. Sharpe, and Gebhart v. Ethel. While the facts of each case are different, the main issue in each was the constitutionality of state-sponsored segregation in public schools. -
The Berlin Wall
Millions of people escaped the Eastern Bloc through Berlin. By 1961, the Soviets and East Germans had enough. In order to prevent further escape, and to keep the professional classes trapped, they built a wall. The Berlin Wall became a symbol of communist oppression and a propaganda tool for the west. At the same time, it lessened tensions between the two Cold War foes. At one point before the wall, the two sides pointed tanks at each other in the streets of Berlin. Follo -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary School Act, designed by Commissioner of Education Francis Keppel, was passed less than three months after it was introduced. This piece of legislation constituted the most important educational component of the 'War on Poverty' launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Through a special funding (Title I), it allocated large resources to meet the needs of educationally deprived children, especially through compensatory programs for the poor. -
Death of Martin Luther King Jr
Assassinations (1968): On April 4, 1968, an assassin murdered Martin Luther King Jr. King predicted his death on more than one occasion. The night before, he gave his last address during a violent thunderstorm. The “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” address evoked a comparison with Moses who saw the promised land and passed away before reaching it. King died the next day. -
Education for All Handicapped Children's Act
Congress enacted the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, in 1975, to support states and localities in protecting the rights of, meeting the individual needs of, and improving the results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. -
USSR invades Afghanistan
The Afghan government faced an insurrection. They signed a treaty in late 1978 allowing the U.S.S.R. to intervene if necessary. In April 1979, the Afghan government requested Soviet aid. The Soviets sent some aid, but resisted full scale military assistance until December. On December 27, 1979, the Soviets invaded. -
Americans With Disabilities Education Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities that are like those provided to individuals on the basis of race, sex, national origin, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications. -
Chunnel opens
Bridging England and France, it took 15,000 workers over seven years to create the tunnel which now allows passengers to travel between the two countries in 35 minutes. -
Reauthorization of Americans With Disabilities Education Act (becomes IDEA)
President Clinton signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (IDEA). This legislation guarantees a free and appropriate public education for more than 5 million children with disabilities and prohibits states from eliminating educational services to students with disabilities under any circumstances. NASW played a significant role in this legislative victory for children and social workers! -
America bombs AGAIN!
America bombs Iraq: AGAIN!
Following a weapons inspector agreement by the UN in the middle of Clinton's impeachment trial, President Clinton orders American and British airstrikes on Iraq -
No Child Left Behind Act
President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 that reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). NCLB significantly raises expectations for states, local school districts, and schools in that all students will meet or exceed state standards in reading and mathematics within twelve years. -
Myspace is Launched
MySpace.com was launched and quickly became one of the most popular social networking sites on the web. In 2006, the 100 millionth account was created. However, it was overtaken by its main competitor. -
Reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is the primary federal program that authorizes state and local aid for special education and related services for children with disabilities. On December 3, 2004, President Bush signed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, a major reauthorization and revision of IDEA. The new law preserves the basic structure and civil rights guarantees of IDEA but also makes significant changes in the law.
