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School segregation is unconstitutional
The supreme court rules in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas segregation is unconstitutional. This outruled the Plessy v. Ferguson case in 1986. -
Rosa Parks does not give up her seat
Rosa Parks did not give up her seat to a white passenger at the front of the "colored section" of the bus. A bus boycott began after this event occured. -
SCLC is established
Martin Luther King Jr.,Charles K. Steele and Fred L. Shuttlesworth established the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Becomes the major force in the civil rights movement and bases its principles on nonviolence and and civil disobedience. -
Little Rock Nine
A former all white Central Highschool in Little Rock Arkansas becomes integrated the hard way. Nine black children had to be escorted by troops into the school. -
SNCC is founded
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee is founded at Shaw University, providing young blacks with a place in the civil rights movement. The SNCC later grows under the leadership of Stokely Carmichael. -
James Meredith attends Mississippi
James Meredith becomes the first black student to enroll at University of Mississippi.President kennedy sends in 5,000 troops to end violence around the event. -
I have a dream
Martin Luther King delivered his I have a dream speech. It was delivered in Washington DC. in the March on Washington. -
24th Ammendment
The 24th Ammendment abolishes the poll tax. The Poll Tax originally was created in the 11 southern states to make it harder for blacks to vote. -
Freedom Riders
In the spring and summer a group of students rode out to test the new laws in interstate travel facilities. The Freedom Riders, as they were called, were attacked by angry mobs along the way. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination of all kinds based on race, color, religion, or national origin. -
Malcolm X is shot dead
Malcolm X, a black nationalist and founder of Organization of Afro- American Unity, is shot to death. It is believed that he was shot by members of the Black Muslim faith. -
MLK is shot
At age 39, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot to death. He was shot on the balcolny outside of his hotel room by James Earl Ray.