-
The Civil Rights movement began gaining traction in this decade with landmark decisions and the ordered desegregation of many public facilities like schools and buses. Many new associations were formed and all intended to better the experiences and rights of African Americans.
-
The case of Sweatt vs. Painter was a case involving the University of Texas and their rejection of applicants based on race. In the end, the court ruled against their rights to reject anyone based on demographics or skin color. -
After 22 year old Sarah Keys Evans refused to give up her seat on a bus, she was jailed. A court case was then filed and in the end buses were desegregated. -
Although there was still little violence in the North over desegregation compared to the South, there still was dissatisfaction. The schools were desegregated on May 17, 1954 with the decision of Brown vs. the Board of Education. -
August 28, 1955: While on vacation with his family in Money, Mississippi, a black 14 year old named Emmett Till supposedly whistled at a white woman. He was then attacked by her husband and his half brother, “he was kidnapped, beaten, shot in the head, had a large metal fan tied to his neck with barbed wire, and was thrown into the Tallahatchie River.” (FBI- History) -
The Vietnam War was a civil war (before US involvement) between North and South Vietnam. It started on November 5, 1955. -
The Montgomery Improvement Association was established on December 5, 1955 and is considered a "grassroots" movement. Meant to fight for civil rights, this association focused on the desegregation of the Montgomery bus system. -
December 5, 1955 - December 20, 1956
Civil Rights Protest in Montgomery, Alabama staged by African Americans after Rosa Parks was discriminated against and subsequently arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a bus. It lasted for over a year until the Supreme Court ordered the integration of the transit system. -
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference was founded on January 10, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia. This was a branch of the Montgomery Improvement Association and was intended to fight for the Civil Rights of African Americans. -
This Act was created to increase the numbers of African American Voters in the Southern States. Only 20% of the population of black people were registered to vote and the numbers continued to drop the further south you went. -
This crisis was a direct result of the acceptance of nine african american children at a white school. They were then blocked from entering the school by a group of pro-segregation protests who then triggered the crisis. -
The case of Cooper vs. Aaron was an Arkansas based decision in which desegregation was mandated. Decided on September 12, 1958, this was an effective beginning of the end of segregation. -
The 1960s continued the fight for civil rights among races and the integration of many Universities and Hotels followed. Additionally, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr, a famous Civil Rights leader, further fueled the fire of the fight.
-
February 1, 1960 - July 25, 1960: Non-violent protests that occurred largely at Woolworth’s Lunch Counter when African American students staged a sit in and refused to leave until they were served. Started by Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain and Joseph McNeil, these protests soon spread all over the South. -
November 1961: This movement was an attempt to desegregate Albany, Georgia. Largely considered a failure, this campaign ended with the arrests of all protesters. -
May 4 - December 10, 1961
The Freedom Riders were a group of anti-segregation activists who attempted to ride from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans, Louisiana. After their bus was attacked in Alabama, their journey was stopped, but they managed to reach out to thousands throughout the trip and through the news. -
Riots began on September 20, 1962, after an African American Veteran named James Madison enrolled at University Mississippi. He began the desegregation of the school, but the backlash was immense and harsh. -
This movement took place in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 as a result of the bombings that targeted African Americans. It was intended to bring attention toward the segregation and mistreatment of African Americans and exposed the racist and corrupt police. -
The first field secretary of the NAACP and a Civil Rights activist, Medgar Evans was assassinated on June 12, 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi. His killer was not convicted until 1994 after witnesses became willing to come forward. -
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a march that gathered near the Lincoln Memorial with over a quarter million people. They were marching for the equal employment and rights of African Americans and many speakers came, including Martin Luther King and his "I have a dream" speech. -
The Mississippi Freedom Summer Project was a campaign run by volunteers during the summer of 1964. It was an initiative intended to register as many black voters as possible. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed by Congress on July 2, 1964. It was intended to prohibit discrimination based on:
-Color
-Race
-Religion
-Sex
-National Origin -
American involvement in the Vietnam War began on August 5, 1964 when alleged attacks were made and President Johnson ordered the bombing of North Vietnam in retaliation. -
Passed on August 7, 1964, this resolution authorized LBJ to take any action to maintain peace between countries. -
This case was between the Heart of Atlanta Motel and the US Supreme Court and decided the right to refuse lodging African Americans. The verdict ended the segregation of motels and hotels and is considered a landmark decision. -
Malcolm X was a civil rights and religious in the 1960s who was assassinated during his speech at Audubon Ballroom. He promoted Islam toward African Americans and encouraged Black empowerment. -
Operation Rolling Thunder was an American bombing campaign that was frequently interrupted and sustained during the Vietnam War.
-
The March from Selma to Montgomery was from March 21 to March 25, 1965. It was intended to establish an African American's constitutional right to vote. -
This act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965. It outlawed discriminatory voting laws, like the Jim Crow laws of the South. -
James Meredith was the first African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi and started his single-man march to call attention to racism. However, on his way from Memphis, TN to Jackson, MS, he was shot by the racist James Norvell. -
Starting on January 31, 1968, the Vietcong launched vicious attacks on the US and North Vietnam. Both countries suffered heavy losses, but soon fought against the Communist attacks. -
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on his balcony at the Lorraine hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. He was one of the most prominent civil rights leaders and his death ushered in many changes as the country became outraged. -
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was included under the Civil Rights Act of 1968 as Title VII. It was intended to ensure equal housing for all, no matter the demographic. -
The fight for Civil Rights continued through the 1970s and major strides were seen among African Americans. As desegregation efforts spread, many African Americans reached congress and made a name for themselves among the American public.
-
Swann vs. Charlotte-Mecklenberg Schools was a Supreme Court case that was decided on April 20, 1971. In this ruling, the court upheld the desegregation plan of Mecklenberg, NC. -
On January 25, 1972, Democrat Shirley Chisholm announced her Presidential run in a Brooklyn Baptist Church. She was a trailblazer as an African American woman candidate and is still looked up to as an inspiration. -
In 1973, Nixon ended the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War. Through a cease fire agreement, the US was offered freedom, but the other parties did not honor this agreement. -
On April 8, 1974, African American Hank Aaron ran his 715th home run and smashed records and stereotypes along the way. By breaking a record previously forged by a household name like Babe Ruth, he proved that an African American could do it all! -
On April 30, 1975, the Vietnam War officially ended. -
Barbara Jordan, a Texas Congresswoman, delivered a key note speech at the National Democratic Convention. Within this address, she called for the unity of Americans and even noted that she was the first African American woman to deliver such a distinguished speech. -
This case is considered a landmark case in deciding if racial quotas are allowed in the college admissions process. The court ruled against the 16/100 seats set aside for minority students and dismissed the use of race when admitting students.