Civil Rights Movement

Jackie Robinson enters Major League Baseball

Apr 15, 1947

Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut in front of 26,623 fans at Ebbets field. Jackie started at first base and went without any hits, but reached base on an error in the seventh and scored the eventual go ahead run in a victory against the Boston Braves.

Executive Order 9981 signed by President Truman

Jun 26, 1948

President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981. This order created the President's committee on equality of treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services.

Rosa Parks Arrest

Dec 1, 1955

In Montgomery, Alabama an elderly African american woman named Rosa Parks was arrested for disorderly conduct. Civil Rights leader E. D. Nixon bailed her out of jail with his white attorney friend and his wife.

16th Street Baptist Church Bombing

Sep 15, 1963

Four African American girls were killed when a bomb went off during Sunday services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Three KKK members were arrested for their role in the Bombing.

Malcolm X is murdered

Feb 21, 1965

Malcolm X was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a popular figure during the civil rights movement. He was shot multiple times and died from his wounds.

Voting Rights Act of 1965 is passed

Aug 4, 1965

The Voting Rights Act passed in August 4, 1965. The issue was long-delayed and had been recognized because of a voter registration drive.

Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruling

Jun 12, 1967

This was a landmark civil rights decision of the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled that laws banning interracial marriage violate the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated

Apr 4, 1968

Martin Luther King was shot dead while standing on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.