Civil Rights Movement Timeline

  • Rosa Parks does not give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus.

    Rosa Parks does not give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus.
    On December 1st, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white man on the bus. This made a wave of protest, that moved throughout the United States.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is elected as the president to lead the boycott.

    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is elected as the president to lead the boycott.
    The Montgomery Improvement Association was formed on December 5th, 1955. Under the leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. the Montgomery Improvement Association was instrumental in guiding the Montgomery bus boycott.
  • The Freedom Riders are attacked.

    The Freedom Riders are attacked.
    In 1961, the Freedom Riders set out to call for change. Instead they were met by hatred and violence.
  • King announces that he is leaving Albany.

    King announces that he is leaving Albany.
    On August 10, King announces that he is leaving Albany. The Albany Movement is usually considered a failure in terms of effecting change, but what King learns in Albany allows him to be successful in Birmingham, Alabama.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. is arrested.

    Martin Luther King, Jr. is arrested.
    On April 12th, 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. is arrested for demonstrating in the city without a city permit.
  • The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C.

    The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C.
    The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom occurs on August 28 in Washington D.C. Here, King famously delivers his "I have a dream" speech.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

    Martin Luther King, Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
    Martin Luther King, Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice in America. At 35 years of age King was the youngest man to ever receive a reward.
  • King leads a march to the Pettus bridge.

    King leads a march to the Pettus bridge.
    Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a second march for voting rights from Selma, Alabama. As the march crosses the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the protesters meet state police officers. Instead of confronting them, the marchers kneel, pray, and retreat, as King had agreed in last-minute negotiations with President Lyndon Johnson.
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated.

    Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated.
    Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4th, 1968 as he went outside to his balcony of his motel room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
  • President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

    President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1968.
    On April 11th, 1968 President Johnson signed the Civil Rights of 1968. This act provided equal housing opportunities disregarding race, religion, and any crime you make.