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Rosa Parks's Refusal to Move
Rosa Parks boarded a bus, and sat right behind the whites section. Later, she was asked to move and give her seat to a white man. When she refused, the bus driver called the police. This was one of the most important events of the Civil Rights Movement, because it sparked a series of bus boycotts, as well as a new era in the movement. -
Little Rock Crisis
In September of 1957, a federal court order stated that nine African American students had to be admitted into Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. This angered the governor of Arkansas. His actions, as well as the actions of a white mob, led to violence. This was a very important event, because it showed the lengths that people who were against the Civil Rights Movement would go to> It also spread awareness of the mistreatment of African Americans. -
The Sit In Movement
On February 1, 1960, 4 college students did the first sit-in at a department store. They sat at the whites only counter and refused to leave until they were served. They stayed until the store closed. In the days that followed, more and more African Americans students followed their lead, and joined the sit-in. In the next two months, 54 other cities also began doing sit-ins. This was an important event in the movement because it influenced hundreds of people, and made a lot of change. -
March on Washington
Civil rights leaders planned a huge march on Washington, which gained over 250,000 participants. Both African Americans and whites participated in this march. This event was important, because it did a great job of demonstrating the cause, and it also united whites and African Americans. -
King's Assassination
In April of 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. His death caused riots in many cities. Because of his assassination, congress did pass the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which was beneficial. His death is considered a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement. It would now require a different approach.