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Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson. Ended legal segregation in public schools. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Started because of Rosa Parks’ arrest. A year-long boycott that led to a Supreme Court decision declaring bus segregation unconstitutional. -
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Montgomery Bus Boycott
Started because of Rosa Parks’ arrest. A year-long boycott that led to a Supreme Court decision declaring bus segregation unconstitutional. -
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Freedom Rides
Interracial activists ride buses into the segregated South to challenge non-enforcement of Supreme Court rulings on desegregated buses. Riders were attacked and put in jail. -
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Albany Movement
A broad-based campaign to desegregate the city of Albany, Georgia. it failed to meet its goals in the end. -
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Birmingham Campaign
A strategic movement led by MLK to end segregation in Birmingham was marked by violent police responses and global attention. It made more people support civil rights. -
March on Washington
Over 250,000 people gathered in D.C. for civil rights and economic equality. MLK delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech. -
Birmingham Church Bombing
A bomb planted by white supremacists kills four Black girls at the 16th Street Baptist Church. It was a terrorist act by white supremacist extremists. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Landmark legislation bans discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. One of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation in US history. Made segregation and discrimination illegal. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Outlawed discriminatory voting practices, including literacy tests. This led to a dramatic increase in Black voter registration. Protected Black Americans' right to vote.