Civil Rights Movement Timeline

Plessy v. Ferguson

May 18, 1896

Supreme court ruled that legislation could not over come racial attitudes(segregation,Jim Crow Laws, etc.) Made separate but equal constitutional.

Formation of NAACP

Feb 12, 1909

Stands for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and was founded by W. E. B. DuBois. Focused on how to confront civil rights issues using legal strategies.

Malcolm X leads the Nation of Islam

Jun 1, 1953

Studied teaching of Elijah Muhammad. June 1953, became assistant minister of the Nation's Temple Number One in Detroit. Established multiple temples. During the year 1953, FBI started surveillance on him. In August 1953, was selected to lead Temple Number 7 in Harlem. This greatly expanded membership.

Brown v. BOE of Topeka

May 17, 1954

Ground breaking Supreme Court case(Judge Warren). Ruled that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

Dec 20, 1956

Political and social protest of racial segregation on the public transit system of Montgomery.

Formation of SCLC

Jan 10, 1957

Stands for Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The Conference's first president was MLK. Coordinated the actions of local protests in the south.

Integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas

Sep 3, 1957

the action of nine black students enrolling in a formerly all-white school. This tested the ruling in Brown v. BOE of Topeka.

Civil Rights Act of 1957

Sep 9, 1957

First piece of civil rights legislation passed since Civil Rights Act of 1875. Mostly a voting rights bill

Greensboro Sit-In

Feb 1, 1960

Series of nonviolent protests in Greensboro, North Carolina. Led to the Woolworth department store chain removing its policy of racial segregation in the South.

Formation of SNCC

Apr 1, 1960

Stands for Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Leaders of the sit-in protest initiated by four black college students in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Boynton v. Virginia

Dec 5, 1960

Ruled that racial discrimination in businesses that serve interstate commerce is unconstitutional

First Freedom Ride

May 4, 1961

This is a series of bus trips through the American South to protest segregation in interstate bus terminals. Contained 13 African Americans.

James Meredith enrolls in Ole Miss

Sep 27, 1962

James Meredith attempted to enroll at the University of Mississippi causing riots. many arrested and/or wounded, Two died.

Birmingham Protests

Apr 3, 1963

Organized by the SCLC. Its purpose was to bring light to integration efforts. Focusing mostly in/on the town of Birmingham, Alabama.

March on Washington

Aug 28, 1963

This march was organized by many groups and was a key moment in this movement. Where MLK gave his "I Have a Dream" Speech.

24th Amendment Passed

Jan 23, 1964

Outlaw all/any poll taxes for elected federal officials.

Freedom Summer

Jun 21, 1964

Organized by the SNCC and CORE to increase/promote voter registration in Mississippi. Was ran by the COFO. Faced many violent attacks from KKK, police, and state/local authorities.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

Outlaws discrimination of any kind against race, sex, nation of origins, religion, and color. Landmark civil rights and US labor law.

Malcolm X assassinated

Feb 21, 1965

He was assassinated in Washington Heights New York City. Shot as he was about to deliver speech about his new organization, Organization of Afro-American Unity.

Selma March

Mar 7, 1965

From March 7-21 there were three protest marches from the Highway Selma to the capital of Alabama, Montgomery. Led by MLK. Focused efforts to register black voters in the south.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

Prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Landmark piece of legislation.

Black Panthers founded

Oct 15, 1966

Black Panthers was founded in Oakland, CA. It was a revolutionary black nationalist and socialist organization. Active until 1982, when dissolved.

Civil Rights Act of 1968

Apr 11, 1968

Defines housing discrimination (refusal to sell or rent a dwelling to any person because of his race, color, religion, or national origin).Outlaws discrimination of housing.

MLK Jr. assassinated

Apr 14, 1968

Assassinated in Memphis, TN. He was a baptist minster who was a major nonviolent leader(due to his beliefs) during the civil rights movement. Very well known for his "I Have a Dream Speech".

Robert F. Kennedy assassinated

Jun 5, 1968

Shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. This was right after he had won the Presidential primary. Brother of JFK(formerly assassinated president).