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Brown v. Board of Education
This was the beginning of the Civil Rights Era. The Supreme Court ruled that the separation of children in public schools due to their race was marked unconstitutional. The reason this case came to be was because when Linda Brown tried to enroll in an all white school in Topeka Kansas, the school rejected her from enrollment due to her being black (African American) In the end, this Supreme Court ruling ended the segregation of all schools in the U.S. while also overturning Plessy v. Ferguson. -
The Murder of Emmett Till
During the summer of 1955, Emmett decided to go the south to visit relatives in Mississippi. While in Mississippi, Emmett went into a local convenient store. Supposedly while Emmett was in the store, he whistled at a woman named Carolyn Bryant. She felt offended and told her husband Roy Bryant her brother in law J.W.
Milam. These 2 men kidnapped Emmett and brutally tortured and murdered Emmett. They later dumped his body into the Tallahatchie River.
Both men were acquitted for the murder. -
Rosa Parks & the Bus Boycott
By refusing to give up her seat in the bus for a white person in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks would spark the most successful bus boycott. Her actions inspired many people to follow her foot steps. Before the boycott, many people of color who wanted to use public transportation knew that if they wanted to enter they'd had to sit in the"colorized section" and they'd had to give up their spot for a white person if it got full. Rosa's actions caught the attention of MLK who lead the boycott. -
Southern Leadership Conference
The Southern Leadership Conference (SCLC) is an organization that was founded in Atlanta, Georgia and was linked to the black churches. 60 of their black ministers were wanting organize civil rights activism. And by the help of their elected president Dr. Martin Luther King, their goals were to desegregate cities and encourage black folks to go register to vote. Their hard work and efforts were the major reasons as to why the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed. -
Little Rock 9
The Little Rock 9 was a group of 9 African American high school students. Their main goal was to eradicate segregation in schools not just in Little Rock, Arkansas, but for schools all around the nation who still use segregation against their students of color. The Little Rock 9 would historically be known to be the first group to desegregate their high school in Arkansas. -
Greensboro Sit ins
The Greensboro Sit ins were one of many successful protests. Before the protests occurred, if you weren’t white, you were refused service. So when 4 black college students were denied service just because of the color of their skin they began the protest. The protests spread across other neighboring towns and eventually made its way towards the south. Many who partook in the protests were eventually arrested. The protests ended the segregation in Woolworth’s and other local establishments -
Ruby Bridges
When Ruby Bridges was only 6 years old, she didn’t realize at the time that she’d be the first black kid to attend an all white elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana. But in order for her to attend the all white school, she’d had to pass a very difficult exam in order to prove she’s worthy to attend the school. Even though she passed the exam, the white people in New Orleans still didn’t want her to enter. Ruby was in so much danger that she needed to be escorted in by Federal Marshals. -
Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists. 6 of the riders rode the bus from Washington D.C. bound towards New Orleans. The riders knew and were warned about the dangers the south posed towards them. But by accomplishing this goal, the Freedom Riders knew that their courage and bravery to face the trial in a non violent manner would be accomplished. -
The March on Washington
The March on Washington was one of biggest highlights of the Civil Rights Movement. 250,000 people marched in Washington D.C. to protest in a peaceful way. The protests included things such as the civil rights violations against minorities, and advocating for the economic and civil rights towards anyone of color. Dr. Martin Luther King also gave his infamous “I Have A Dream” speech at the end of the day. -
The Civil Rights Act (1964)
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 were one the biggest bills signed into law by former U.S. president Lyndon Baines. Johnson (LBJ) in Washington D.C. The bill enabled the Federal Government to prevent racial discrimination segregation based on race, color, religion, or national origin in private business public facilities. This Act also lowered the segregation used in schools and raised the voting rights on to people of color. -
The Assassination Of Malcolm X
Malcolm X was assassinated while delivering one of his lectures at the Abdubon Ballroom in New York. 3 members who were part of the religious organization called the “Nation of Islam” were arrested for the assassination. Strangely enough, Malcolm was also the organization’s leader. Malcolm X would go down in history for being one of the most influential, important, and prominent figures during the civil rights movement. -
Selma to Montgomery Marches (Bloody Sunday)
The Selma to Montgomery Marches were a series of marches that occurred in 1965. These marches happened in Alabama they were meant to grant rights towards black people, more specifically voting rights. But during one of the marches, on Edmund Pettus Bridge, law enforcement brutally attacked and went after the protesters. These protesters weren’t causing harm,they were just peacefully protesting for what they wanted to restore. These attacks would be the reason why the Voting Rights Acts passed. -
Voting Rights Act (1965)
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was another important accomplishment the civil rights movement had achieved. Signed by former president Lyndon B. Johnson, the bill outlawed the discriminatory voting practices throughout the entire U.S, especially in southern states. One major practice the south did were literacy tests. This was a requirement in the south, in order for colored people to vote. But the Voting Rights Act of ‘65 eradicated the practice. -
The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King (MLK)
A day before Martin Luther King was assassinated, he’d give his famous last speech called “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top” in his last speech he’d foreshadowed about not making it. As so, he’d be killed the next day. He was fatally shot while standing outside of a motel balcony in Memphis. James Earl Ray would trying fleeing the country but would be arrested later for the killing. The assassination would spark riots. Dr. King will go down in history as the highlight of the civil rights movement.