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Brown v. Board of Education
The supreme court ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional, overturning "separate but equal". this decision sparked momentum by challenging legal segregation, paving the way for desegregation laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Led by Martin Luther King Jr. after Rosa Parks' arrest, this boycott protested segregated buses and led to a supreme court ruling against bus segregation. It built national support and showcased nonviolent resistance, boosting legislative efforts. -
March on Washington
Over 250,000 people gathered, where King delivered his "I have a dream speech", pressuring Congress to pass civil rights legislation. This event galvanized public and political support, leading to the Civil Rights Act -
Freedom Summer
Activists registered black voters in Mississippi, highlighting voter suppression and increasing national awareness. This effort influenced the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by exposing systemic inequalities. -
Selma to Montgomery March
The violent bloody Sunday attack on marchers and subsequent marches led to national outrage, prompting president Johnson to sign the Voting Rights Act. This event was pivotal in securing legislation.