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1946: Indian Claims Commission
The federal government created this commission to allow Native tribes to seek financial compensation for lands taken by the U.S. government. While the process often fell short of justice, it represented early official acknowledgment of Native grievances. It was a step toward future activism and legal action. This was a legal/political action. -
1947: Mendez v. Westminster
This federal court case ruled that California schools could not segregate Mexican-American children. It was a critical precedent to Brown v. Board, showing that racial integration could be achieved through legal channels. The case advanced Hispanic American civil rights. This was a legal/political action. -
1954: Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson. This case was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, as it legally challenged the foundation of segregation. It energized activists and laid the groundwork for further legal and social battles against racial inequality. This was a legal/political action. -
1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott
Sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest, African Americans in Montgomery refused to ride public buses for over a year to protest segregated seating. The boycott led to a Supreme Court ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional. It marked a turning point in civil rights history and introduced Martin Luther King Jr. as a leader. This was an act of civil disobedience. -
1961: Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
President John F. Kennedy established this commission, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, to investigate gender inequality in education, the workplace, and under the law. The commission’s 1963 report, American Women, exposed widespread discrimination and called for changes in policy and law. It brought national attention to women's rights and helped spark the second wave of feminism. This was a legal/political action. -
1963: Publication of The Feminine Mystique by Betty Frieda
This groundbreaking book exposed the dissatisfaction many suburban women felt in their limited roles as wives and mothers. It gave voice to a generation of women and is credited with sparking the second wave of feminism. The book inspired activism and feminist organizations. This was a cultural and political action. -
1964: Civil Rights Act
This federal legislation outlawed segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or national origin. It was one of the most significant achievements of the civil rights movement. The Act showed the federal government’s increasing role in protecting civil liberties. This was a legal/political action. -
1965: Voting Rights Act
This law banned literacy tests and other discriminatory practices used to suppress Black voters, especially in the South. It empowered the federal government to oversee voter registration in areas with histories of discrimination. The Act drastically increased Black voter participation and strengthened democratic rights. This was a legal/political action. -
1966: Formation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta
Led by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, the UFW united Mexican-American farmworkers to fight for better wages and working conditions. Their nonviolent strikes and boycotts drew national support and attention to labor injustices. It was a landmark achievement in Hispanic labor rights. This was an act of civil disobedience. -
1969–1971: Occupation of Alcatraz
Native American activists occupied Alcatraz Island to assert their rights to unused federal land under a broken treaty. The occupation brought national attention to Indigenous issues of sovereignty, poverty, and broken promises. It became a symbol of Native resistance. This was an act of civil disobedience. -
1970: Chicano Moratorium
Thousands of Mexican-Americans protested the Vietnam War and systemic inequality in Los Angeles. The event ended in police violence and the death of journalist Rubén Salazar, bringing further awareness to Chicano issues. It united activists around both peace and civil rights. This was an act of civil disobedience. -
1972: Title IX
Title IX banned sex-based discrimination in any federally funded education program or activity. It dramatically increased opportunities for women in sports, academics, and professional education. The law became a key legal victory for the feminist movement. This was a legal/political action. -
1978: American Indian Religious Freedom Act
This law protected the right of Native Americans to practice traditional religions, access sacred sites, and use sacred objects. It acknowledged the cultural and spiritual heritage of Indigenous peoples. It was a key legislative recognition of Native identity. This was a legal/political action -
2016-2017: Standing Rock/Dakota Access Pipeline Protests
Native American tribes and allies protested the Dakota Access Pipeline, which threatened sacred lands and water sources. The protests drew international attention and highlighted environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty. Demonstrators faced violence, but remained largely nonviolent. This was both civil disobedience and self-defense. -
2017–present: #MeToo Movement
The movement began as a campaign against sexual harassment and assault, with millions of women sharing their experiences online. It exposed systemic abuse in workplaces, media, and politics, sparking new policies and cultural awareness. It expanded the goals of feminism into modern digital activism. This was a form of cultural resistance.