Civil Rights Timetoast

the 14th Amendment

Jul 9, 1849

This amendment gave anyone that was born within the country the right to citizenship. This also allowed for former slaves to be granted citizenship within the US. This amendment also made a big change to the constitution because it forbid any state from the denial of someone's rights and protection. It resulted in equal rights and equal protection for all.

Dred Scott vs Sandford

Mar 3, 1857

Dred Scott sued the supreme court for a request for his freedom. Unfortunately, he was denied citizenship. Scott was forced to return to being a slave, and this case applied to not only him but to all African American people.

The 13th Amendment

Jan 21, 1865

The 13th Amendment changed our constitution completely. This amendment abolished slavery. It ensured that no slavery or involuntary service could be practiced within the country. This gave freedom back to all African Americans.

The 15th Amendment

Feb 3, 1870

This amendment granted African American men the right to vote. It also made a change because it should that they could not longer be denied as an effect of their race, color, or "previous condition of servitude."

Plessy vs Ferguson

May 18, 1896

This court case has impacted our history as a country in a large way, pertaining to racial issues specifically. The supreme court had finalized a decision that racially segregated people. For example, there would be two of everything, one for the black people, and one for the white people.

The 19th Amendment

Aug 18, 1920

This amendment had a large impact on the constitution as well. It essentially is something that women are still fighting for today, empowerment. This amendment gave women the right. To specifically state: "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 sex."

Reed vs Reed

Nov 22, 1922

The Reeds went to the Supreme Court with hopes of resolving who would get their son's land. Idaho had a law that stated, "males must be preferred to females." As an effect of this law, it was established that the father, Cecil Reed would be preferred to the mother. It was ultimately decided that this was a clear violation of the 14th amendment.

Brown vs Board of Education

May 17, 1954

This was another supreme court case. This case argued that the segregation that was present within schools was not only unconstitutional but also hindered the learning environment as a whole. This case resulted in the overturning of the Plessy vs Ferguson case.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

This act essentially eliminated discrimination. This was all over: public facilities, jobs, and removed segregation within schools. This act also granted the power to the federal government that allowed for them to remove segregation as well as all of the laws that pertain to it.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 6, 1965

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act into law. This act permanently prohibited any form of discrimination within political participation or voting practices.

Title IX

Jun 23, 1972

Richard Nixon was the one that signed Title IX into law. It states, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Essentially, it ruled out all forms of discrimination, whether involving race, age, or gender.

Regents of the University of California vs Bakke

Jun 28, 1978

This case involved the Supreme Court. It resulted in the decision that the university's use of racial "quotas" in its admissions process was unconstitutional. But that when a school uses "affirmative action", it is constitutional in select circumstances.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Jul 26, 1992

This act was another form of eliminating discrimination and helped to assist in ensuring that everyone was treated equally. Title IX had allowed for the elimination of discrimination against race, gender, and age, but not disabilities. This act was established to ensure that people with disabilities were not discriminated against either. It was officially passed in 1992.

Obergefell vs Hodges

Jun 26, 2015

This was a legal case involving the Supreme Court which ruled (5-4), which determined that bans on same-sex marriage and on the recognition of same-sex marriages were actually unconstitutional. It was determined that this was a violation of the 14th amendment.