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13,14,15 Amendments
The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, which are essentially a trio of slavery abolishing and freedom granting amendments, allowed for African Americans to be free from slavery and gain essential rights. The 13th amendment abolished slavery, the 14th amendment allowed for African Americans to have citizenship and basic rights, and the 15th amendment gave all persons the right to vote, regardless of sex, religion, or color. These three amendments were the basis of freedom for AAs in the 1900s. -
Tuskegee Institute creation
The Tuskegee Institute, located in Alabama, was founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881. One main focus of the institute was to focus on African American education in fields of industry and agriculture, whilst improving their economic status. The creation of this facility was the first spark in educational improvements for colored peoples in America, as it challenged the common stereotype of no schooling for them. -
NAACP created
The mission of the NAACP was to put an end to violence done against African Americans. After its founding in 1909, members of the NAACP used methods of protest, boycott, and legal challenges in order to attain political, educational, and social equality for African Americans in America. In regards to the CR movement, the group played a large part in expressing frustration and unrest due to the violence and discrimination against African Americans, thus pushing others to join the movement. -
Passing of the 19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment was created in order to deny the right of voting to any individual based on the premise of sex (gender). By passing it, the women´s suffrage movement was deemed successful and the social status of women improved. In the realm of the Civil Rights movement, the passing of this amendment was a further improvement on the topic of human rights. It was one more barrier down in the chase for human freedoms. -
Executive Order 9981
Executive Order 9981 was an order sent out by President Truman, stating the segregation of individuals in the military based on factors such as race, color, or religion was banned, and equal treatment and opportunities should replace the former separation laws. In future wars with American participation, soldiers remained united and not seperated. In regards to the CR movement, this order played a large role in eliminating segregation in essential areas of the country, thus encouraging unity. -
Brown V Board case
The Brown V. Board of education case was sparked by an African American student (Linda Brown), who was ultimately denied entry to a school near her house due to it being ¨white only.¨ The case was taken to the court, where the Supreme court ruled in her favor and declared segregation unconstitutional. This was a major step in the C.R movement due to its contribution to the later acts in 1964. -
The murder of Emmett Till
The murder of Emmett Till was a very upsetting and severe case of racism during the time. After flirting with a white woman, 14 year old Emmett Till was taken from his home and tortured by two men, who ultimately killed him in a horrible fashion. The case of Emmett Till showed America the sheer terror colored individuals were facing on a daily basis, thus promoting many others to join the cause for extended rights for African Americans. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
After refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on the bus, Rosa Parks became a praised hero in the Civil Rights movement. Although she was arrested, Rosa´s actions were seen and heard by many. Her brave actions motivated many to take a stance against segregation in public facilities, further fueling the impacts of the Civil Rights movement leading into the late 20th century. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was created in order to fight back against figures/authorities still pushing black segregation in the workplace or voting setting. While granting the federal government the right to preserve the law against the people, it also allowed for colored individuals to have freedoms in the workplace, free of discrimination. This act was very important in securing basic rights for colored individuals, as it allowed for voter participation and friendly environments at work. -
Greensboro NC Sit-ins
The Greensboro NC Sit-ins were a series of non-violent protests which involved younger colored individuals sitting at the ¨white only¨ counter at a local lunch counter. The sit-ins encouraged many other young colored individuals to participate in the non-violent movement, thus leading to the creation of organizations like the SNCC. Thus, this protest was very important in encouraging younger individuals to participate in the fight for rights. -
SNCC creation
The SNCC was created in the year of 1960 by the younger colored individuals of the Civil Rights movement. One prime reason for the creation of the movement were concerns around MLK´s SCLC being out of touch with the younger generation of African Americans. By creating this organization, which was non violent and ultimately raised awareness, younger colored individuals had more of a voice in the issues at hand and increased involvement. -
Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
After Dr. King was sent to a Birmingham jail, a letter known as the ¨Letter from a Birmingham Jail¨ was penned by him. In the letter, King mentions that individuals have a moral responsibility to break unjust/unfair laws and take action immediately rather than continue being oppressed. Four days after writing the letter, King was released from jail. The letter echoed a message through the CR movement, however, change was essential, and had to be secured through whatever means possible. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington, which was lead out by around 250,000 people, was a massive call for action in the realms of improved jobs and freedoms for African Americans. MLK Jr also read his ¨I have a dream speech,¨ which was renowned for its message and purpose, and still serves as a basis for securing rights today. The protest as a whole held great value in attempting to secure African American rights, as it showed the sheer crowd and population whom opposed the current policies. -
Passing of the 24th amendment
The 24th amendment, passed in 1964, allowed citizens of the United States to vote without paying a ¨poll tax.¨ Although many argued the poll tax was another form of payment for freedom, it mainly targeted poorer and less fortunate groups, such as African Americans. Thus, the poll tax was labeled as a form of discrimination and ultimately taken out of practice. Removing the poll tax allowed for more widespread voter participation and a better view towards the American government. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 stated that discrimination based on the premises of race, color, national origin, or sex were prohibited. One prime cause to the acts were the problems occuring in school environments. The CRA of 1964 was a major step in accomplishing the goals of the Civil Rights movement, as it further removed barriers placed on considerably ¨different people¨ during the time. -
March from Selma Alabama
The march from Selma Alabama on March 7, 1965, was lead by John Lewis and was used to demonstrate the anger from colored individuals in regards to voting rights. The march took place along a 50 mile stretch in Selma, Alabama, and gained great amounts of supporters. As a result, congress passed the voting rights act, which allowed for millions to vote, thus showing the march to be successful in the civil rights movement. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 eliminated barriers between African Americans and voting during the late 20th century. Overall, the act eliminated discriminatory voting practices such as literacy tests that African Americans had to experience. By doing this, the voting rights for African Americans expanded and further improved at the turn of the 1960s into the 1970s and eventually the 1980s. In regards to the CR movement, motives such as wanting rights to vote were met by these acts. -
Black Panthers
The Black Panthers group was founded around October 1966 in Oakland, California. The Black Panthers challenged the idea of police brutality against African Americans and rendered aid to broken black communities. This included providing meals and funding low status communities. The group would decline, however, after several violent exchanges between members and authorities. Although the group vanished, its profound effects on the CR as a whole are present, as awareness was extended to brutality. -
MLK assassination
On April 4, 1968, MLK Jr. was fatally shot and murdered whilst standing on a balcony in a motel. His death caused many riots and disturbances (especially from the colored community), as the hero who fought for extended rights passed. King´s death would be a true end to the long chapter of the Civil Right´s movement during the early 20th century. -
Sonia Sotomayor appointed to Supreme Court
Sonia Sotomayor was appointed as an associate justice to the Supreme Court on the date of May 26, 2009. Although she is the third woman to be appointed to the associate justice position, she was the first Hispanic/Latina woman to hold the position. Even in modern times, the Civil Right movement´s accomplishments are apparent. Although Sonia´s ethnic background would prevent her from holding a position back then, the accomplishments of the CR movement have carried on into modern times.