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Decleration of Independence
July 4, the signing of this infamous document, is considered our nation's birthday. Marking our independence from King George III, the decleration addressed the Colonists' issues, informing the King that we would no longer be under this ruling. Essentially, this was our country's offfical statement that we would no longer be recognized under the British, thus leading to the American Revolutionary War. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention. It was popularized and known as "a convention to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of women". It was seen as a crucial step towards the effort of women gaining equal rights, which has yet to be fully achieved. -
13th Amendment
Passed by the Senate on April 8, 1864, the 13th Amendment formally abolished slavery in the United States. With the adoption of this specific amendment, the nation found a final consititutional solution to the issue of slavery. This amendment, along with the next two to be passed, greatly contributed the our country's civil rights. -
14th Amendment
This amendment states that all citizens of the United States have the right to due process of law, regardless of race or any other reason that people came up with for denying due process. During the Civil War and times afterwards, any rights would be applicable to whomever; there would be no denial of rights based off of someone's race, sexual orientation, etc. -
15th Amendment
This amendment gave black men the right to vote, thus driving the Civil Rights movement even more. The Civil War was over by the time this right was passed, however, despite the passing, black men still had difficulties voting. The significance lies in the importance of voting and that is a fundamental right of every American regardless of race and/or other possible discriminatory qualities of a human. -
Colorado becomes first state to grant women the right to vote
1877 was when the idea of women suffrage was first brought up to Colorado voters, but it was not one that people took to. Hardly any ballots having to do with women's suffrage were successful. However, with this movement towards women's equal rights, our country has seen more equal opportunities amongst both men and women. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This case upheld the constitutionality of segregation under the "seperate but equal" doctrine. The court ruled that a state law that "implies merely a legal distinction" between whites and blacks did not conflict with the 13th and 14th amendments. Restrictive legislation based on race continued and expanded until overturned by Brown v. Board. -
Founding of NAACP
The National Association for the Advancment of Colored people is a civil rights organizationg for ethnic minorities in the United States; it is our nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. During the Civil Rights movement, the goals of the NAACP were being accomplished. Though our nation is still experiencing racism, the rights of minorities have increased since before the organization was created. -
19th Amendment
Giving women the right to vote, the 19th amendment was made official in the constitution on August 26, 1920. This acted towards the Civil Rights movement in that it offered equal rights to all humans, as stated in the constitution. Women had been gaining suffrage throughout the early 20th century, but this amendment granted them full rights. -
Executive Order 10450
This excecutive order requires that all persons employed in Government departments and agencies be reliable, trustworthy, of good conduct and character, and of complete and unswerving loyalty to the United States. This kept from an discrimination being due to a person's ability to work in a certain way, not due to their race, sexual orinetation, or other possible "differences". -
Brown v. Board of Education
This Supreme Court Case declared state laws establishing seperate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. The decision overturned the formally known Plessy v. Ferguson case, which basically allowed state-sponsored segregation. This ruling led our nation to an integrated state and was a major victory in terms of the civil rights movement. -
One, Inc v. Oleson
ONE:The Homosexual Magazine was established in 1953 to distribute information "dealing primarily with homosexuality from the scientific, historical, and critical point of view, and to aid in the social integration and rehabilitation of the sexual varient." The Cour issued an argument having to do with an article within the magazine to be constituional and unharmful. Gay and lesbian articles of any sort could be published without legal repercussions, leading to an expansion of Gay Rights. -
Illinois becomes first state to repeal its sodomy laws
Illinois became the first state in the U.S. to get rid of its sodomy law. It did so in 1961, when it adopted an overall revision of its criminal laws. Constitutional challenges to sodomy laws were not uncommon in the 50's and 60's. This led towards the freedom of homosexuals to act as they wish without being discriminated against by law. -
24th Amendment
On January 23, 1964, the United States ratified the 24th Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting any poll tax in election for federal offices. Before this, citizens in certain states had to pay a fee to vote in a national election. This amendment has made it easier for all citizens to vote now that they no longer have to pay; all citizens have the equal right and opportunity. -
Civil Rights Act 1964
Signed by President LBJ, this act prohibited discrimination inb public places, provided for the integration of schoolsand other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal. This document swept the nation as being one of the most upfront changes (efforts) in civil rights legislation. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This administrated a banning of racial discrimination in voting practices by the federal government as well as by state and local governments. It also banned discriminatory literacy tests and expanded voting rights for non-English speaking Americans. This has made an enormous impact on our nation's voting system, creating more equal opportunities for its citizens. -
The Stonewall Riots
In the summer of 1969, the New York gay activist movement was born when a group of gay New Yorkers made a stand against raiding police officers at The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar. There were over 100 protestors against the police officers' invading; this was a step towards rights for the gay community and their fighting for equality which is slowly being achieved. -
Title IX
Of the Educationg Amendment sof 1972, Title IX protects people from sexual discrimination in education programs and activities that are federally funded or recieve any assistance of the sort. This was an early step towards gender equality, forcing the education system to allow both boys and girls to participate in the same activities. -
APA Removal of Homosexuality being a Mental Disorder
This action was taken after a review of the scientific literature and consulation with experts in the field of homosexuality. Experts found that it did not meet the critera for being considered a mental illness. They came to terms that there was no kind of therapy that could "repair" homosexuality, thus denying its connection to mental health. -
Don't Ask Don't Tell
This policy basically banned any openly homosexual people from serving or any homosexuals that were currently serving from talking about or engaging in sexual activity having to do with homosexuality. The policy was further subverted by discriminating suits that upheld the right of gays to serve in the military without fear of discrimination. This is a direct civil right in that it stripped homosexuals of a common right only because of their sexual orientation. -
The Defense of Marriage Act
This was a federal law enacted by President Clinton. The law was to leave the choice up to the states to recognize same-sex marriage or not; same sex marriages were beginning to popularize. This led towards the recognition of gay rights that had otherwise been ignored. -
Massachussets Legalizes Gay Marriage
Ten years ago, Massachuests had its first same-sex marriage performed; this was the first same-sex marriage in the history of the United States. This was 10 years ago and our nation has now legalized same-sex marriage in over 30 states. -
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is Repealed
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed and gays, lesbians, and bisexuals were finally allowed to join/serve openly in the military. Commander in Chief states that the openess has made our militaries one of the finest in the world; members are allowed to be open and honest to not only their families, but their country in which they are fighting for.
