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Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln ends slavery in the United States, marking a significant step toward equality for African Americans. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The US Supreme Court declares racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, helping to break down racial barriers in education. -
March on Washington
More than 250,000 people gather for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his famous I Have a Dream speech. -
Civil Rights Act
This landmark law bans discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment and public accommodations. -
Voting Rights Act
The US passes the Voting Rights Act, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting, ensuring African Americans' right to vote. -
Stonewall Riots
A series of protests by the LGBTQ+ community in New York City after a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, marking the start of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. -
Roe v. Wade
The US Supreme Court rules that a woman’s right to an abortion is protected by the Constitution, securing reproductive rights. -
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
DOMA defines marriage as between a man and a woman, but this law is later ruled unconstitutional, paving the way for marriage equality. -
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized (Obergefell v. Hodges)
The US Supreme Court rules that same sex marriage is a constitutional right, making it legal in all 50 states. -
Bostock v. Clayton County
The US Supreme Court rules that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is a violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.