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Emmett Till's Murder
In August 1955, Emmett Till, A 14 year old African-American was visiting family in Mississippi when he was kidnapped. He was then brutally beaten, shot and dumped in the Tallahatchie river for whistling at a white women. He was so beaten that he was almosty unregonisable. Two white men were arrested for the murder and later faced a all white jury where they were found not guilty. They then later boasted and admit to the murder in a Look magazine. -
Bus Boycott
A member of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAAPC) known as Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passanger even after disobaying direct orders from the bus conductor. She was then arrested for this. In the response to her arrest the Montgomery black community launched a bus boycott that lasted over a year. Since the bus comapny lost 70% of its revenue they desegregated the buses. -
Little Rock Nine
In Little Rock, 9 courages students challenged racial segregation in schools by enrolling in a all white school known as Central High School. On their first day of school they were blocked entry by the national gaurd. Later in the month the Little Rock Nine were under protection from troops that were sent by President Eisenhower. This event is seen all over the world. -
Freedom Riders
Freedom writers involved more then 1000 volunteers, black and white. They tested out new laws that prohibited segregation in interstate travel facilities by taking bus trips all through the South of America. While on these trips they were attacked by angry mobs that did not agree with desegregation on interstate travel facilities. -
First Black to inroll at University
James Meredith was the first African American to enroll into the University of Mississippi. Merediths goal was to exercise his rights and enforce civil rights for African Americans. There was a riot a day previous to Meredith starting the University but troops took control on the situation. -
Martin Luther King Jailed
Martin Luther King was Jailed in 1963 during a anti-segregation protest in Birmingham, Alabama. During his time in jail he wrote a letter known as the "Letter from Birmingham Jail". He states how freedom in not voluntarily given and that for years now negros have been hearing the word wait, which in most cases means never. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination. This was signed by president Johnson and it also provided the federal government with the power to enforce desegregation. -
Malcolm X Shot Dead
Malcolm X founder of the African-American Unity is assassinated. It was believed that it was the members of the Black Muslim Faith who Malcolm abandoned in favour of orthodox Islam. -
Martin Luther King Assinated
Martin Luther King was assinated in Memphis, Tennesee while standing on his balcony outside his hotel room. The escaped convict James Earl Ray is then convicted of the crime.
