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Montgomery bus boycott
Rosa Parks ignites 381-day bus boycott organized by Martin Luther King, Jr. -
Little Rock Central High School desegregated
After Little Rock school board votes to integrate schools, National Guard troops prevent black children from attending school.
1000 federal paratroopers are needed to escort black students and preserve peace.
Arkansas Gov. Faubus responds by closing schools for 1958-59 school year. -
James Meredith enrolls at the University of Mississippi
5000 federal troops are sent by Pres. Kennedy to allow Meredith to register for classes. Riots result in 2 deaths and hundreds of injuries. -
"Letter from Birmingham jail"
In response to white ministers who urge him to stop causing disturbances, King issues an articulate statement of nonviolent resistance to wrongs of American society. -
Gov. Wallace stops desegregation of the University of Alabama
Standing in the schoolhouse door and promising segregation "today, tomorrow, and forever," Wallace is forced by Pres. Kennedy to allow blacks to enroll. -
March on Washington
More than 200,000 blacks and whites gather before Lincoln Memorial to hear speeches (including King's "I Have a Dream") and protest racial injustice. -
Civil Rights Act passed
Overcoming Senate filibuster, Congress passes law forbidding racial discrimination in many areas of life, including hotels, voting, employment, and schools -
Malcolm X assassinated
Rejecting integration and nonviolence, Malcolm splits off from Elijah Muhammad's Black Muslims and is killed by black opponents. -
Voting Rights Act approved
After passage, southern black voter registration grows by over 50% and black officials are elected to various positions.
In Mississippi, black voter registration grew from 7% to 67% -
King assassinated
While supporting sanitation workers' strike which had been marred by violence in Memphis, King is shot by James Earl Ray. Riots result in 125 cities.
