Civil Rights Timeline

  • 13th Amendment

    13th Amendment

    Amendment which abolished slavery in the United Sates. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it was the first step in the long journey towards African Americans gaining equal rights.
  • 15th Amendment

    15th Amendment

    Amendment which declared that the “right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it gave African American men the right to vote.
  • Plessy v. Ferguson

    Plessy v. Ferguson

    Supreme Court Case based on the Louisiana Separate Car Act, which established the separate but equal doctrine. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it legalized segregation in the U.S.
  • 19th Amendment

    19th Amendment

    Amendment which granted women’s suffrage. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it served as a huge step in the goal of women achieving equal rights and having a higher influence on society.
  • Executive Order 9981

    Executive Order 9981

    Government order issued by Truman, which desegregated the army. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it led to African Americans gaining equal treatment in the army, which was a huge step.
  • Brown v. Board of Education

    Brown v. Board of Education

    Supreme Court Case based on segregation in schools violating the 14th amendment. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it ruled in favor of desegregation in schools (segregation in public schools was unconstitutional)
  • Montgomery Bus Boycott

    Montgomery Bus Boycott

    Large scale boycott of the bus system in Montgomery, Alabama in response to Rosa Parks being arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it was the first large scale protest against racial discrimination and resulted in the desegregation of the bus systems in Montgomery.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1957

    Civil Rights Act of 1957

    Act which protected the voting rights of African Americans. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it showed how the government was showing support for the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Little Rock 9

    Little Rock 9

    Group of 9 African American teenagers who went to an all white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas despite the heavy protest of the South. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it showed the policy of desegregation and the importance of it being enforced especially in schools.
  • Freedom Riders

    Freedom Riders

    Civil Rights Activists who challenged segregation in the South through the bus system. They are significant in the Civil Rights movement, because any opposition against them led to violence, which put pressure on the government.
  • March on Washington: “I have a dream” speech

    March on Washington: “I have a dream” speech

    Speech given by civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. about the end of racism and African Americans achieving equal rights. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it inspired many African Americans to take a stand and fight for Civil Rights.
  • 24th Amendment

    24th Amendment

    Amendment which made it illegal to require a poll tax when it comes to voting. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because poll taxes were used as a way to stop African Americans from voting, and by making them illegal it helped more African Americans vote.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Act which made discrimination in public places on the basis of sex, religion, race, or ethnicity illegal in the U.S. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it made discrimination illegal and was a huge step in that it made sure that all people in U.S. got equal opportunities no matter what they believe in or look like.
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965

    Voting Rights Act of 1965

    Act which banned racial discrimination when it came to voting. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it allowed African Americans to vote without any issues or barricades, such as tests.
  • Black Panthers

    Black Panthers

    Political organization who protested against police brutality through nonviolent measures although it did lead to several violent encounters. They are significant to the Civil Rights movement, because they set the stage for a revolution and spread ideas of African American empowerment.
  • MLK assassinated

    MLK assassinated

    On April 4, 1968 Civil Rights activist Martin Luther King was shot in a motel in Memphis, Tennessee, which led to his sudden and tragic death. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it angered many activists causing a racial divide and hundreds of riots.
  • American Indian Movement (AIM)

    American Indian Movement (AIM)

    Movement which focused on preserving Native American culture and land, establishing civil rights for Native Americans, and enforcing treaties with the U.S. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it focused on helping Native Americans gain rights and fight for things that were important to them (ex. enforcing treaties).
  • Chicano Movement (Mural Movement)

    Chicano Movement (Mural Movement)

    Movement in which Chicanos (Mexican Americans) painted murals of Mexican-American culture on public walls and areas as a way of empowering Mexican Americans. It is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because it showed how Mexican Americans were fighting against discrimination and for political empowerment.
  • Sandra Day O’Connor appointed to the Supreme Court

    Sandra Day O’Connor appointed to the Supreme Court

    In 1981, attorney and politician Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Reagan. This is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because she was the first woman to be appointed as a Supreme Court Justice showing how women were rising in both rank and influence.
  • Sonia Sotomayor appointed to the Supreme Court

    Sonia Sotomayor appointed to the Supreme Court

    On August 8, 2009, President Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court for the position of Associate Justice. This is significant in the Civil Rights movement, because she was the first Hispanic and Latina to ever fill this position showing how immigrants were rising in both rank and influence.