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President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which desegregated the U.S. military.
President Harry S. Truman's Executive Order 9981, issued on July 26, 1948, was a pivotal step against racism in the U.S. This order desegregated the military, ending the discriminatory practice of racial segregation. Before this, African American soldiers faced unequal treatment and separate facilities.
https://www.loc.gov/collections/veterans-history-project-collection/serving-our-voices/diverse-experiences-in-service/equality-of-treatment-and-opportunity/ -
10 December 1948 - Signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” and then in the summary section
December 10, 1948, witnessed the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, the UDHR represents a landmark commitment to universal human rights, transcending borders and distinctions. This historic event underscores the collective global endeavor to uphold the inherent dignity and equality of every individual.
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights -
The U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. In delivering the court's opinion, Chief Justice Earl Warren said public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Brown's decision was a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement, laying the groundwork for desegregation efforts in all areas of public life.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/brown-v-board-of-education -
May 14, 1956: The Southern Manifesto was issued by Southern lawmakers in Congress in response to the Brown v. Board of Education decision, expressing their opposition to desegregation.
On May 14, 1956, Southern lawmakers issued the Southern Manifesto in response to the Brown v. Board of Education decision, expressing strong opposition to desegregation. The manifesto, signed by over a hundred politicians, rejected the Supreme Court's ruling and defended the preservation of segregated schools. This event highlighted the resistance to the push for racial integration and marked a significant chapter in the civil rights struggle.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/40030963 -
April 15, 1960: The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was founded to organize and coordinate civil rights activities by young people.
On April 15, 1960, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was founded to organize and coordinate civil rights activities led by young people. The SNCC played a crucial role in the American civil rights movement, advocating for nonviolent direct action to challenge racial segregation and inequality.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_Nonviolent_Coordinating_Committee -
May 4, 1961: The first group of Freedom Riders left Washington, D.C., to challenge segregation on interstate buses.
On May 4, 1961, the first group of Freedom Riders departed from Washington, D.C., on a mission to challenge segregation on interstate buses. The Freedom Riders were activists who engaged in nonviolent direct action, defy racially segregated bus terminals and facilities. Their actions aimed to bring attention to and challenge the lack of enforcement of Supreme Court rulings prohibiting segregation in interstate transportation.
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/freedom-rides -
June 11, 1963: Governor George Wallace attempted to block the integration of the University of Alabama, but federal authorities intervened, and Vivian Malone and James Hood became the first African American students to enroll.
On June 11, 1963, Governor George Wallace tried to block the integration of the University of Alabama. Federal authorities intervened, allowing Vivian Malone and James Hood to become the first African American students to enroll, a milestone in the fight against racial segregation in education.
https://history.iowa.gov/history/education/educator-resources/primary-source-sets/school-desegregation/governor-george -
March 15, 1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress and called for the passage of the Voting Rights Act following the events of Bloody Sunday in Selma.
On March 15, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson urged Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act in response to the violence of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama. The act aimed to eliminate discriminatory voting practices, a crucial step in the fight for voting rights during the civil rights movement.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Selma-March/We-Shall-Overcome-LBJ-and-the-1965-Voting-Rights-Act -
April 4, 1968: Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, leading to widespread protests and demonstrations.
On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His tragic death sparked widespread protests and demonstrations, marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and deeply impacting the course of American history.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dr-king-is-assassinated -
April 11, 1968: The Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibiting discrimination in housing.
The Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, 1968. This act aimed to address housing discrimination by prohibiting practices based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/aboutfheo/history -
The Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibiting discrimination in housing.
The Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. This legislation aimed to combat housing discrimination by prohibiting discriminatory practices based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1968 -
June 5, 1968: Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination; he had been a vocal advocate for civil rights.
On June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. A vocal advocate for civil rights, his tragic death had a profound impact on American politics and the ongoing struggle for social justice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Robert_F._Kennedy -
10 December 2023 - The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
During such anniversaries, various organizations, human rights advocates, and institutions often hold events, discussions, and activities to commemorate the declaration and emphasize the importance of human rights.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/get-involved/campaign/udhr-75