Civil Rights Movement Timeline

By johnnyboy25
  • The Supreme Court declared segregation on buses that crossed state borders was illegal.

    The Supreme Court declared segregation on buses that crossed state borders was illegal.

    This means that in buses that crossed through different states, whites AND blacks could sit wherever they wanted.
  • This was the first year since 1881 without a lynching.

    This was the first year since 1881 without a lynching.

    The fact that there were no lynchings supports the claim that blacks were becoming more equal to whites.
  • The Supreme Court declared segregation in schools to be unconstitutional.

    The Supreme Court declared segregation in schools to be unconstitutional.

    There would no longer be all-black classes, bathrooms, water fountains, etc. in schools, because it was considered unethical.
  • After the arrest of Rosa Parks the Montgomery Bus Boycott was announced.

    After the arrest of Rosa Parks the Montgomery Bus Boycott was announced.

    Rosa Parks was arrested on December 1st, and the boycott was announced on December 4th. Approximately 40,000 African American bus riders boycotted the next day, December 5.
  • Civil Rights Act was passed.

    Civil Rights Act was passed.

    Finally, the Civil Rights Act was taken to court and passed, which made many people very happy. This protected voting for everyone.
  • The Little Rock High School Incident of 1957

    The Little Rock High School Incident of 1957

    Black students were prevented from enrolling in Central High School (in Little Rock, Arkansas). After a meeting between Arkansas' Governor and President Eisenhower, Eisenhower came to think that the Governor was agreeing to enroll black students in the school. 9 black students tried going to the school, and a conflict quickly emerged. 1000 National Guard soldiers were sent to resolve the conflict, and were able to stop anything worse from happening.
  • The Freedom Riders were arrested.

    The Freedom Riders were arrested.

    The south housed an anti-slavery group called the "Freedom Riders". They were arrested in 1961.
  • James Meredith was barely able to attend Mississippi University.

    James Meredith was barely able to attend Mississippi University.

    James Meredith attempted to attend The University of Mississippi, but was only able to after he had the help of Federal troops.
  • 4 children were killed in the Birmingham Church Bombing.

    4 children were killed in the Birmingham Church Bombing.

    The white man who was arrested was charged with the unlawful possession of dynamite, but not murder. Only some years later were the guilty brought to trial for murder.
  • President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

    President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

    It outlawed discrimination of race, color, sex, religion or national origin.
  • President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

    President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

    When President Johnson signed he Voting Rights ct of 1965, this completely prevented any literacy tets for black pople.
  • A violent riot took place in Watts, Los Angeles.

    A violent riot took place in Watts, Los Angeles.

    After a crowd witnessed what they thought to be another racially motivated conflict between police and a citizen, a violent riot was started that ended up killing 34 white people.
  • Malcolm X was assassinated.

    Malcolm X was assassinated.

    On February 21, 1965, he was assassinated by three members of the Nation of Islam.
  • Martin Luther King Junior led the March on Washington.

    Martin Luther King Junior led the March on Washington.

    King led the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, raising awareness of the difficulties of black voters and the need for a national Voting Rights Act.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

    Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

    The man convicted of his murder – James Earl Ray – was sentenced to 99 years prison but he denied having anything to do with the murder.