Civil Rights

  • The Dred Scott Case

    Court ruling where a slave was not given freedom even though he lived in a free state. Happened in 1857. It meant slavery was legal in all federal territories.
  • Emancipation Proclamation

    A proclamation that made all slaves freed. January 1, 1863. All slaves are freed.
  • 13th Amendment

    Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, abolished slavery. 1865.
  • 14th Amendment

    Grants citizenship to all people born in the United States. July 9, 1868. Slaves and everyone born in the united states were american citizens.
  • 15th Amendment

    Can't deny a citizen the right to vote based on race. February 3, 1870. African Americans got the right to vote.
  • Jim Crow Laws

    Laws that enforced segregation in the southern states. 1877-1965
  • Plessy vs. Ferguson

    It upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws for public facilities as long as the segregated facilities were equal in quality. 1896.
  • Creation of the NAACP

    A civil rights organization for African Americans. February 12, 1909. Secured the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights.
  • 19th Amendment

    The right to vote for women. 1920. Women can vote.
  • Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

    A proposed amendment that rights can't’ be denied based on race. First proposed in 1921. Gave rights to all people.
  • Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier

    Jackie Robinson joins the Dodgers and become the first black player in the MLB. April 15, 1947. Starts to take segregation out of sports
  • Brown vs The Topeka Board of Education

    A supreme court case in which was ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional. 1954.
  • The Montgomery Bus Boycott

    African Americans refused to ride city buses to protest segregated seating. Happened December 5, 1955 - December 20, 1956. It formed a group and protested civil rights.
  • Little Rock Nine

    A group of nine African American students enrolled in and went to little rock high school. 1957. Started the segregation into schools.
  • “I Have a Dream” Speech

    A speech by Martin Luther King Jr. about civil and economic rights and an end to racism in America. August 28, 1963. Persuaded people to change or brought attention to the topic.
  • The March on Washington

    A march for civil and economic rights for African Americans. August 28, 1963. Brought attention to the subject.
  • Freedom Summer

    A voter's registration project to get African Americans to vote. June 1964. African American the right to vote.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Labor law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. 1964.
  • Selma, Alabama Marches

    Three protest marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. 1965. Brought attention to civil rights.
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965

    It outlawed the segregated voting practices in many southern states. August 6, 1965.
  • Creation of the Black Panther Party

    African American self defense party that would protect African American neighborhoods from police brutality. October 15, 1966. Protected African American neighborhoods.
  • NOW

    Enforcement of the prohibitions against sex discrimination in employment. 1968.
  • Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

    He was fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. April 4, 1968. Brought attention to civil rights and a well respected leader was killed.
  • Roe vs Wade

    A court decision that made abortion legal. 1973. Killed many kids and gave women more rights.