Civil Rights Movement Timeline

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education

    Dec. 9th 1952 - May 17th, 1954: A Supreme Court case that unanimously ruled that racial segregation in public schools were unconstitutional, henceforth overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson
    (Map: Showing school segregation laws before the Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education)
  • Montgomery Bus Boycott

    Montgomery Bus Boycott

    A 381-day civil rights protest from Dec. 5th, 1955 - Dec. 20th, 1956, against segregated seating on public buses in Montgomery, Alabama
  • Little Rock Nine Desegregation

    Little Rock Nine Desegregation

    Nine African-American students, known as the "Little Rock Nine," faced intense resistance from segregationists, including Governor Orvbal Gabus and the Arkansas National Guard
  • Sit-in Movement

    Sit-in Movement

    Four young black men, Ezell Blair, Jr. (Later known as Jibreel Khazan), Frankling McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond, came together in a series of nonviolent protests against segregation that was sparked by the Greensboro sit-in
  • Freedom Riders

    Freedom Riders

    A group of white and Black civil rights activists who rode interstate buses into the segregated south to challenge the non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions that ruled segregated public buses unconstitutional
  • James Meredith Integrates Ole Miss

    James Meredith Integrates Ole Miss

    Violent riot against James Meredith arriving at the University of Mississippi, necessitating a massive federal intervention to ensure his admission and maintain order
  • Birmingham Campaign

    Birmingham Campaign

    Apr. 3rd,1963 - May 10th,1963: A pivotal series of protests, sit-ins, and marches organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Alabama Christian Movement for Human rights to challenge segregation in the city.
  • March on Washington

    March on Washington

    A political rally where 250,000 people gathered in Washington, DC, to advocate for civil and economic rights rights for African Americans. Featured Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.
    “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Civil Rights Act

    Civil Rights Act

    A landmark federal law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2nd, 1964, it also made unequal application of voter registration requirements illegal. Provided federal enforcement powers to end discrimination in education, workplace, and public facilities
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965

    Voting Rights Act of 1965

    Monumental victory that dismantled lots of voting restrictions, led to major increase in black voter registration, most effective civil rights law ever passed, and was made to enforce the 15th amendment guarantee
    (Map: Between 1950 to 1980, the employment rate increased, especially for Black workers.)
  • Thurgood Marshall on the Supreme Court

    Thurgood Marshall on the Supreme Court

    Thurgood Marshall served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court from 1967 to 1991, becoming the first African American to hold the position
  • Rise of African American Elected Officials

    Rise of African American Elected Officials

    A post-Civil Rights movement phenomenon driven by the voting rights act of 1965, which protected voting rights.
  • Affirmative Action

    Affirmative Action

    A set of policies and procedures designed to eliminate discrimination by providing preferential treatment and educational employment opportunities for members of minority groups.
  • The Rodney King incident and Los Angeles Riots

    The Rodney King incident and Los Angeles Riots

    After police beat Rodney King, a black man, it led to widespread riots across LA
  • Carol Mosley Braun

    Carol Mosley Braun

    She was the first black woman and second black person to be elected US Senate, after losing her bid she was announced as the U.S ambassador for New Zealand
  • Million Man March

    Million Man March

    Minister Louis Farrakhan led attendees in a pledge to atone for shortcomings, support their families, and abstain from violence.
  • Representation in Media, Culture, and College Enrollment

    Representation in Media, Culture, and College Enrollment

    Representation in media, culture, and college enrollment affects student expectations and outcomes, with historical media portrayals often lacking diversity and perpetuating stereotypes
  • Election of Barack Obama

    Election of Barack Obama

    He was elected the 44th president of US on November 4, 2008, becoming the first African American president. It was a moment of major historical importance due to its symbolism of progress in civil rights.
  • Voting Rights Act Weakened

    Voting Rights Act Weakened

    The Voting Rights Act has been weakened by several US Supreme Court decisions, primarily the 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder, which eliminated the federal government's primary oversight mechanism for states with a history of discrimination.
  • Black Lives Matter movement

    Black Lives Matter movement

    Want to end police brutality and systemic racism against the black community, to protect black lives and bodies. Peaceful demonstrations and advocacy to raise awareness and demand change