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Montgomery Bus Boycott
Segregated seating on buses in Montgomery, Alabama, was social custom and it was the expectation of coloured people to give up their seat to a white person. The 5th of December 1955, saw Rosa Parks, an African-American woman, refuse to give up her seat to a white man. She was ultimately arrested and fined, however 4 days later, the day of her court hearing, the bus boycott by blacks began and lasted 381 days. During the boycott, a prominent leader emerged. His name Martin-Luther King Jr. -
Little Rock Central High School Desegregation
In a never-before-seen case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Brown v. Board of Education of 1954 saw that “seperate but equal” schools were unconstitutional. Because of this case, schools were made to be desegregated, however those schools were not so accepting of the law. Hence forcing the hand of the President, who sent federal troops to escort the “Little Rock Nine” black children into Little Rock Central High -
Martin Luther King Jr. - "I have a dream"
King played a largely important role in the American civil rights movement from the mid 1950's until his assassination in '68. A recognised leader throughout the Montgomery bus boycott, King was an influential, charismatic person whose famous "I have a dream" speech brought about the passing of legislation such as the Civil Rights act of '64 and Voting Rights act of '65. King's efforts were awarded with a Nobel Peace prize in '68, and some of his ideologies are still recognised today -
Civil Rights Act Passed
- The passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, first proposed by President John F. Kennedy and signed into law by his successor Lyndon B. Johnson, saw the end to segregation in public places and employment discrimination due to race, sex, colour, religion or nation of origin. This was a pivotal moment in black rights history as it was a gateway for black to finally be accepted into society.
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Voting Rights Act Passed
The Voting Rights Act, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson (1908-73) on August 6, 1965, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote under the 15th Amendment (1870) to the Constitution of the United States. The act significantly widened the franchise and is considered among the most far-reaching pieces of civil rights legislation in U.S. history. -
"Black Power Salute"
- During the medal ceremony of the 1968 Mexico summer olympics, African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised a black-gloved fist as a salute to not only black power but to “human rights”. Both athletes wore human rights badges on their jacket including the other medalist, Australian Peter Norman. The event is regarded as one of the most overtly political statements in the history or the modern Olympic Games.