Civil Rights Timeline

  • Brown vs Board of Education

    The US Supreme court ruled that Racial Segregation in schools was unconstitutional.
  • Rosa Parks Montgomery Bus Boycott

    Rosa Parks refuses to stand up and give up seat for a white person, and gets charged with a crime. From the day on, Rosa Parks boycotts the bus, and soon others follow.
  • Little Rock Nine

    9 African Americans enrolled in Little Rock High, becoming the first 8 students who graduated from a ex-white only school.
  • Greensboro Four

    Four black college students sit at the “Whites Only” lunch counter, and refuse to leave until served food. Later, 20 other African Americans sit and refuse to leave. Later, the department store lunch counter serves all people.
  • Ruby Bridges Goes to School

    8 Year Old Ruby Bridges goes to previously white school accompanied by 4 armed federal marshals.
  • Freedom Riders

    Starting on May 4th, white people and black people boarded opposite color buses, heading for New Orleans. They had to stop some times to change slashed tires. During the ride to NO, riders had to change due to being beaten, arrested, or stopped. This made the desegregation laws become more strict.
  • Birmingham Demonstrations

    MLK, SCLC, and ACMHR launch a campaign to undermine the city’s system of racism.
  • March on Washington

    250,000 Individuals peacefully gather at the National Mall in DC, and listen to MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
  • Civil Rights Act

    Lyndon B Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. This act prevents Racial Discrimination in Voting, Employment, and use of Public Places.
  • Assassination of Malcom X

    Feb 21, 1965 Assassinated in Harlem, NY. Audubon Ballroom.