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Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unconstiutional. This also overturned the decision of Plessy v. Furgenson. -
Ban of Interstate Segregation
The Federal Interstate Commerce Commission banned segregation on buses and trains. This ban was largely ignored in many southern states. -
Rosa Parks Doesn't Move
In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks sits in the front of a segregated public bus and is arrested. The following lawsuit led by the NAACP sparked a new movement. -
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Montgomery Bus Boycott
Sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest, the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) led the boycott of Montgomery buses until they were desgregated. The boycott was considered a great success. -
Little Rock Nine
In Little Rock, Arkansas, the Board of Education begins integrating Central High with nine black students. The National Guard was sent in to the town to stop a mob from forming and stopping the nine students from entering the school. -
Freedom Riders Start
This first freedom riders begin their attempt to desegregate southern buses. Their first try ended in the bus being firebombed by an angry mob. -
Medgar Evers
Pulling into his driveway, Medgar Evers was shot by a sniper's bullet. Evers was president of several organizations and even sued the University of Mississippi and won. He was also the first Field Agent of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). -
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speech from the Lincoln Memorial
King delivered his speech before over 200,000 marchers. This speech is considered the top speech of the 20th century. -
16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
In Birmingham, Alabama, four black girls were killed when terrorists bombed this Church. This Church was considered a rally place and held meetings by leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
This law, passed by Congress, outlawed discrimination and against blacks and women. It also made segregation illegal. -
Malcom X Assassinated
Right before addressing the Organization of Afro-American Unity in Manhattan, a fight broke out and Malcom was shot. Malcom X became Islamic while in prison and taught the idea of Black Supremacy. -
Thurgood Marshall made Supreme Court Justice
Nominated by President Johnson, Thurgood Marshall replaced retiring Justice Clark. Marshall was the first African-American Justice to serve on the Supreme Court.