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Smith vs Allwright
The 'white primary' which disallowed African Americans from voting was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. -
Executive Order 9981
President Harry Truman issued the order to end segregation in the Armed Forces. -
Brown vs Board of Education
Five cases in one; The Supreme Court decided to end segregation in public schools, though many still remained segregated anyway. -
Emmet Till Murder
Emmett Till was a 14-year-old boy accused of flirting with a white woman, for which he was brutally murdered by 2 white men. The two men were acquitted, which brought this case and the civil rights movement a lot of attention. -
Rosa Parks Boycott
Rosa Parks refused to give her seat up to a white man on the bus, which led to many boycotts on the Montgomery buses. -
Little Rock Nine
Nine students at Little Rock Central High School are blocked from entering the school. President Eisenhower sends troops to escort the students, though they continue to be harassed. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
President Eisenhower signed the act into law to help protect the right to vote for people of color. -
The Greensboro Four
Four African American men refused to leave a 'whites only' lunch counter without being served. It would inspire similar sit-ins across the country. -
Civil Rights Act of 1960
This act prohibited intimidation of black voters and gave judges the power to appoint referees to oversee voter registration. -
Ruby Bridges Escort
Ruby Bridges was a 6-year-old girl that was escorted by four-armed federal marshals as the first African American to be integrated into William Frantz Elementary School. -
Freedom Rides
The Freedom Riders were a group of African American and white activists who took bus trips throughout the south to protest bus terminals. They also attempted to use 'white only' bathrooms and lunch counters. -
The March on Washington
250,000 people took part in The March on Washington. During the march, Martin Luther King also gave his “I Have A Dream” speech. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act prevented employment discrimination against race, sex, color, religion, and national origin. -
Malcolm X Assassination
Malcolm X was a black religious leader who was assassinated by a rally member of the nation of Islam. -
Bloody Sunday
During the Selma to Montgomery March, some 600 civil rights marchers walked in protest of African American voter suppression. Marchers were blocked and attacked by local police officers. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act prevented the use of the literacy test as a voting requirement. It also allowed federal examiners to review voter qualifications and federal observers to monitor polling places. -
Loving vs Virginia
The Supreme Court ruled that interracial marriage was constitutional. 16 states that had laws banning them were forces to revise their laws. -
Martin Luther King Assassination
Martin Luther King was assassinated on his hotel room, balcony. James Earl Ray was convicted for the murder. -
Fair Housing Act
President Johnson signs this act to help provide equal housing opportunity regardless of race, religion, or national origin. -
First Black Congresswoman
Shirley Chisholm was the first black congresswoman, she was elected by New York's 12th District. -
Swann vs Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education
In this case, the Supreme Court upheld bussing as a legitimate way for accomplishing integration in schools.