Civil Rights Timeline

  • Supreme Court Case: Sweatt vs. Painter

    Determined that graduate education could not be segregated, and "separate but equal" would not work.
  • Period: to

    The 50's

  • Supreme Court Case: Keys v. Carolina Coach

    Outlawed segregation of Black bus passengers traveling across state lines.
  • Protest: Creation of the Montgomery Improvement Association

    The organization was created to fight for civil rights, and desegregation on buses. It was formed after Rosa Park's arrest.
  • Violence by Opposition: Emmett Till's Murder

    14-year-old Emmett Till was falsely accused of flirting with a white woman in a store while visiting family in Mississippi. The woman's husband and brother brutally murdered him, and the pictures shocked the country.
  • Protest: Montgomery Bus Boycott

    This was a protest where African Americans boycotted city buses to end segregated seating. It began after Rosa Parks was arrested for not giving her seat on a bus to a white man.
  • No Violence: Founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

    Was founded as an offshoot of the Montgomery Improvement Association, it worked to help African Americans get civil rights. It was founded by MLK Jr.
  • No Violence: Little Rock Nine Crisis

    9 African American students enrolled at a previously all-white school but were blocked by the governor of Alabama. Later federal troops escorted the students into the school and drawing national attention.
  • Legislation: Civil Rights Act of 1957

    Established the Civil Rights division of the Justice Dept. and made interfered with voting against the federal rule.
  • Sumpreme Court Case: Cooper v. Aaron

    States must obey Supreme Court decisions and denied the Little Rock School Board from withholding desegregation for 30 days.
  • Period: to

    The 60's

  • Protest: Greensboro Sit In

    The Greensboro sit-in was a protest against segregated lunch counters in businesses. African American students set down and refused to leave after being denied service.
  • Protest, Violence by Opposition: Freedom Rides

    White and Black Activists traveled through the South to show how bad segregation really was. They were met with violence and arrests but drew national attention.
  • Protest: Albany Campaign

    The Albany Campaign was a protest to end all forms of segregation in the city. The City leaders finally agreed to follow federal rules and the protests ended, but the city did not desegregate.
  • Violence by Opposition: Integration of The University of Mississippi

    James Meredith was the first African American to enroll at the University, and riots broke out leaving two dead. The National Guard was called to enforce order.
  • Violence by Opposition: Birmingham Movement

    This was a series of many protests for rights led by Martin Luther King. Many people were arrested, clubbed, and sprayed with fire hoses. This was where Dr. King wrote his famous letter from Jail.
  • Protest: March On Washington for Jobs and Freedom

    The largest civil rights gathering at the time, aimed to draw attention to the civil rights movement. This is where Martin Luther King gave his I Have a Dream speech.
  • Violence by Opposition: Mississippi Freedom Summer

    This was a campaign to increase the number of registered voters in Mississippi. They were met by violence and drew national attention.
  • Supreme Court Case: Heart of Alanta Motel vs U.S.

    Stopped racial discrimination when providing goods or services to general guests.
  • Legislation: Civil Rights act of 1964

    Prohibits discrimination on any basis, and when hiring, promoting, and firing.
  • Violence by Opposition: The Assanation of Malcolm X

    Malcolm X was an Islamic minister and well-known civil rights activist.
  • Protest: March from Selma to Montgomery

    This was an effort to register more voters. The marchers were met by some violence but achieved their goal.
  • Legislation: Voting Rights Act of 1965

    Outlawed literacy tests and discrimination when registering to vote.
  • Violence by Oppositon: James Meredith's March Against Fear

    James began a solitary walk to call attention to racism and to register more voters but was shot shortly after starting. The march was continued in honor of him.
  • Violence by Opposition: The Assanation of Martin Luther King

    Dr. King was shot dead while standing on the balcony of his hotel. He was one of the most influential leaders in the civil rights movement and riots followed his death.
  • Legislation: Fair Housing Act

    This applies to the sale, rental, and finance of housing, and makes it against the law to discriminate.
  • Period: to

    The 70's

  • Supreme Court Case: Swann vs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

    This case required public schools to desegregate and used busing as a method.
  • No Violence: Shirley Chisolms Presidental Campaign

    She became the first black nominee and woman for the Democratic Party.
  • No Violence: Hank Aarons Home Run Record

    African American baseball star Hank Aaron beat Babe Ruth's home run record with 715 home runs.
  • No Violence: Babara Jordans DNC Address

    Jordan was the first black woman to deliver a keynote address at a major party convention.
  • Supreme Court Case: University of California vs, Bakke

    The court ruled that using race in the admissions criteria was

    unconstitutional.