-
Brown v. Topeka Board of Education
Brown’s child was denied the entrance to a white school. Brown claimed that action to be unconstitutional while the school claimed it to be constitutional under the Plessy doctrine, that stated that “separate but equal” was constitutional. The Supreme Court declared that racial segregation of children in school violated the 14 Amendment’s equal protection clause. This event is significant because it used the Constitution to favor racial equality and fight segregation and discrimination. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks, and African American, sat in the “white only” part of the bus. Martin Luther King, Parks’ pastor, called for a meeting at church to aid her. The black community decided to make their voices heard against segregation. For a year African Americans refused to ride the bus and walk instead,affecting greatly the income of the bus drivers. This event is significant because it is the event that started the involvement of King in the Civil Rights movement and also proved the power of blacks. -
Little Rock Crisis
Arkansas National Guard stopped African American students from enrolling in an all white school, defying previous laws that made segregation illegal. After President Eisenhower’s intervention, 9 students were enrolled and the National Guard withdrew. Violence started to rise in the school and no one was stopping it until the situation was brought again to the President. Eisenhower brought the US Army to restore order. This event is significant because it directly challenged the Constitution. -
SNCC Founded
The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee was focused on younger African Americans, keeping them involved in the Civil Rights Movement. As one of the most radical branches of the movement the SNCC organized sit- ins at lunch counters closed for blacks and changed King’s nonviolence ideas from a way of life to a political tactic. This event is significant because it involved many of the younger population and directed many blacks in their use of political power. -
Letter from Birmingham Jail
A letter from Dr. King, addressed to several clergyman criticizing King’s actions during the protests in Birmingham. In his letter, King justifies his actions and gives reasons to fight for justice. This event is important because King rebuttals criticism for his actions and with his justifications is able to defends and wins more support for his cause. -
George Wallace & the University of Alabama
George Wallace, Governor of Alabama, stood in the doorway as federal authorities tried to allow black students to enter. Wallace believe in "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever”and firmly opposed the enrollment of blacks in the school. President John F. Kennedy had to send the National Guard to assist the situation and eventually Wallace stepped down before violence rose. This event is significant because it was a win for the black students and a step closer to equality. -
24th Amendment Passes
The 24th Amendment prohibited any poll taxes imposed to prevent minority groups from voting. This event is significant because now voices from different levels of society can be heard through voting. This ensures the rights of blacks and that subjects that matter to them can be considered in the Government. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into a law, reinforcing desegregation in school and in public places and ensured equal voting registration. This event is significant because it ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. -
Voting Right Act
President Lyndon Johnson signed the act into a law. The new law aspired to break all barriers preventing blacks from exerting their vote thus reinforcing the 15th Amendment, that granted African American men the right to vote. This event is important because voting registration for African Americans increased significantly ensuring that their voice could be heard and equality is more evident in the Government. -
Martin Luther King Assassinated
Martin Luther King had been the leader Civil Right Movement since mid-1950s. With verbal motivation and peaceful protests King was able to gain attention and momentum for equality. His purpose and actions were frowned upon by racists and this hatred led to his assassination. King was shot by James Earl Ray, a white man against desegregation. This event is significant because it led to anger from African Americans and a period of grief that helped speed an equal housing bill.
