Civil Rights Movement

13th Amendment

Dec 6, 1865

Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. First passed by the Senate in April of 1864 and then passed by the House in January of 1865. The amendment was then ratified by the correct number of states in December of 1865.

14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1868

One of the reconstuction amendments. It addresses citizenship rights and equal protection laws. It was proposed becuase of the issues with former slaves after the American Civil War.

15th Amendment

Feb 2, 1870

This amendment gave African American men the right to vote. Although this amendment was ratified in 1870, it wasn't truly enforced until almsot a century later. Southern states used poll taxes, literacy tests and other means in order to prevent African Americans right to vote.

Jim Crow

Mar 9, 1890

Jim Crow laws were racial segregation laws. During this time blacks were "seperate but equal."

Literacy Tests

Mar 9, 1900

Literacy tests were administer during the 1890s-1960s. State government practices of administering tests to prospective voters in order to test their literacy in order to vote.

Poll Taxes

Mar 9, 1910

These were enacted in the Southern states between 1889-1910. This disenfranchised many blacks and poor whites because payment of the tax was a prerequisite for voting.

19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

This amendment prohibits any United States citizen form being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex. the constitution allows states to decide the qualifications fo voters.

Korematsu vs. United States

Mar 9, 1944

An United States Supreme Court case concerning the constituionality of the Executive Order 9066. This ordered Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War ll regardless of citizenship.

Sweatt vs. Painter

Mar 9, 1950

A U.S. Supreme Court case that challenged the "segregation but equal" doctrine of racial segregation established by Plessy vs. Ferguson. This case involved a black man who was refused admission to the School of Law of the University of Texas.

Plessy vs. Ferguson

Mar 9, 1954

United Supreme Court decison upholding the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities under the doctrine "seperate but equal."

Brown vs. Board of Education

May 17, 1954

United States Supreme Court case in which the court declared that state laws establishing seperate black and white schools was unconstitutional.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Dec 1, 1955

Political and socail protest against the policy of racial segregation on the public transit system of Montgomery, Alabama. Rosa Parks, an african american woman, was arrested for refusing to give up her seat for a white person.

Civil Right Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

This outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It ended unequal unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segragation in schools, at the workplace, and by facilities that served the general public.

Voting Rights of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

This prohibited racial discrimination in voting. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the height of the American Civil Rights Movement.

24th Amendment

Mar 9, 1966

This amendment prohibits requiring a poll tax for voters. This was ratified in 1964 when only five states (Virginia, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi) still had poll taxes, but wasn't enforced until 1966.

Robert Kennedy Speech in Indianapolis upon death of MLK

Apr 4, 1968

After finding out about MLK's death, Robert Kennedy gave a passionate speech about peace. His speech is considered one of the greatest public addresses of the modern era.

Reed vs. Reed

Mar 9, 1971

An Equal Protection case in the United States in which the supreme court ruled that the administrators of estates cannot be named in a way that discriminates between sexes.

Equal Rights Amendment

Mar 9, 1972

This guarantees equal rights for women. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and Crystal Eastmen, but was introduced to congress until later in 1923. It wasn't until 1972 that it was passed by both houses of congress.

Regents of the University of California vs. Blakke

Mar 9, 1978

This was a decision by the supreme court of the United States. It allowed race to be one of several factors in college admission policy.

Bowers vs. Hardwick

Mar 9, 1986

A United States Court decision, overturned in 2003, that upheld in court, in a 5-4 rulling, the constutionality of Georgia sodomy law criminalizing oral and anal sex in private between consenting adults when applied to homosexuals.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Jul 26, 1990

Senator Tom Harkin authored the bill and was its chief sponsor in the senate. He introduced the speech using sign language so his deaf borther could understand. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990 and was later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009.

Lawrence vs. Texas

Mar 9, 2003

A decision made by the United States Supreme Court that struck down the sodomy law in Texas. It also invalidated sodomy laws in 13 other states

Affirmative Action

Mar 9, 2003

Also known as positive discrimination, it is the policy of favoring members from a disadvantaged group who are perceived to suffer from discrimination within a culture.

Fisher vs. Texas

Mar 9, 2013

An United States supreme court concerning the affirmative action. In 2008 it was brought to court by Abigail Fisher. She asked for the court to declare the race-concious admissions consistent with grutter.

Gay Rights in Indiana

Mar 9, 2015

Gays try to obtain rights to marriage and also be recognised as a married couple. Doctors, nurses, and etc have the right to deny service to gays. Also, religious owners have the right to deny service.