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Brown v. Board of Education
The Brown V. Board of Education case argued that segregation should not be allowed in schools and that everyone is equal. Thurgood Marshall was a lawyer. He argued before the Supreme Court in 1952 and 1953 that segregation in schools was a violation of individual rights under the 14th amendment. On May 17th, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation has no place in schools. He became the first African American Supreme Court Justice and lived to be 84 years old before passing away. -
Bloody Sunday
On March 7th, 1955, there was a march/ protest that happened in Alabama for African American Rights, on the Edmand Pettis bridge. The people were attacked by armed soldiers and 600 lives were lost that day. But the protest did not end. Lasted Mar 7, 1965 – Mar 21, 1965. -
Emmett Till murdered in 1955
Emmett Till was 14 years old when he was murdered in Mississippi. He was accused of flirting with a white woman. Till's death led to a turning point in the civil rights movement. His mother insisted on an open casket service, the public saw Till's remains. An all-white jury absolved Till's killers despite the overwhelming evidence against them. They later admitted to the murder in a magazine interview. Till's death showed the oppression and violence African Americans faced in the South. -
Rosa Parks and The Montgomery Bus Boycott
On December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger. That sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. Rosa Parks was sitting in the front of the colored section when the driver asked her to leave her seat for a white passenger. She refused to give up her seat. She was arrested and fined $10. Black Ministers announced in church on Sunday, December 4th the bus boycott. This boycott took place from December 4th, 1955, up until December 20th, 1956. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place on August 28th, 1963. Over 250,000 gathered for the event. There were numerous speakers like MLK jr., Whitney Young, and John Lewis. Martin Luther King Jr gave his amazing “I have a dream” speech that moved millions. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
After a filibuster had been broken the senate voted 73-27 for the Civil Rights bill. Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights act into law on July 2nd, 1964. The Civil Rights act said that segregation on the grounds of race, religion, or national origin was banned in public places. People could no longer be denied services based on the color of their skin. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
President Lyndon B Johnson tried to overcome legal barriers set by the state that prevented African Americans from getting to vote. He was successful and then the right to vote was given to all men. Which changed history for the better. -
Malcom X assassinated
On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X, an American Muslim clergyman, and civil rights leader, was shot and killed in a Manhattan ballroom while giving a speech. there was a disruption and shots were fired, instantly killing him. Before adopting a more inclusive message of human rights, Malcolm X had been a divisive figure in the civil rights movement, promoting Black nationalism and independence. Many people denounced his murder, and the Black community expressed grief and rage in response. -
Martin Luther King Jr opposes war in December 1966
Martin Luther King Junior proposed that the U.S. would stop all bombings of North and South Vietnam. He claimed that the war was devastating the hopes of the poor at home and that they should stop sending black young men eight thousand miles away. -
Matin Luther King Jr assassinated
On April 4th, 1968, at 6:05 p.m., Martin Luther King Junior was shot while standing on a balcony at the motel he was staying at in Tennessee. He was murdered by James Earl Ray. Martin Luther King Jr fought hard for equality and organized campaigns. He organized a Poor People’s Campaign to focus on the issue, also the March on Washington, and to support poorly treated African American sanitation workers. -
Shirley Chisholm runs for president in 1972
In 1972 Shirley Chisholm was the first African American candidate to run for president for any party and she’s a WOMAN. She had many supporters behind her and started an organization. Shirley’s campaign slogan was “unbought and unbossed”. Shirley set the stage for African Americans and women across America! -
Jesse Jackson running for president in 1984
Jesse Jackson, a well-known civil rights activist and the creator of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition began a serious campaign for the presidency of the United States in 1984, making him the first black man to do so. Jackson's historic campaign opened the way for future black politicians and brought attention to the problems affecting underprivileged groups, even if he ultimately lost the Democratic primary to Walter Mondale. -
Martin Luther King Jr Day
On Martin Luther King Jr Day, the nation remembers a civil rights hero. His accomplishments have continued to inspire generations of Americans. Martin Luther King Jr died on April 4th, 1968, and is now a day of remembrance. He fought for equality and has inspired many other citizens and generations. -
Dr. Joycelyn Elders became first black woman surgeon general
Dr. Jocelyn Elders was the first African American woman to become the Surgeon General of the United States. She was appointed in 1993. Her selection was a big civil rights victory for women and African Americans. Several praised Dr. Elders' selection for shattering boundaries, opening doors for greater diversity, and representation in government positions. Dr. Elders' selection as the first African American woman Surgeon General is a significant event in civil rights history. -
Rosa Parks awarded medals in 1999
Rosa Parks was a role model, leader, and icon. On December 1st, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested and charged with violating Alabama segregation laws by refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger. She was arrested a second time for violating anti-boycott laws in 1956. Rosa Parks was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999 -
Vonneta Flowers wins gold in 2002 Winter Olympics
Vonetta Flowers went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham and was a sprinter and long jumper. She then picked up bobsledding. In the 2002 Winter Olympics, Vonetta Flowers was the brakeman for Jill Bakken. When they won gold, Vonetta was the first black athlete to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics. -
Obama elected as the first black president
In the Election of 2008, Obama became the first African American President. Obama ran against John McCain in 2008 as the democratic candidate. Barack would 332 electoral votes and 51.1% of the popular vote. Obama made an extraordinary impact on history. -
Black Lives Matter Movement 2013
The international BLM movement started online in 2013. This movement is dedicated to fighting racism against black people, focusing specifically on police brutality. The BLM movement started to become popular after the death of George Floyd in 2020. -
Death of George Floyd
On May 25th, 2020, an employee called the police and told them a man who was George Floyd, used a counterfeit 20-dollar bill to buy cigarettes. Mr. Floyd was pinned down by a police officer and kept telling the officer that he could not breath. Thus, resulting in the death of George Floyd. -
Kamala Harris becomes first woman and black U.S. vice president
On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris made history as she was sworn in as the 49th U.S. vice president. She became the first Black American, Asian American, woman to occupy the office. She was chosen as Biden’s running mate in August 2020. Harris made her own presidential bid in 2020 before suspending her campaign and endorsing Biden. Together, both Biden and Harris defeated Trump and Pence.