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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. This landmark case laid the foundation for ending racial segregation in America.
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The brutal murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi. His death became a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement after his mother, Mamie Till, chose to have an open-casket funeral to show the world the violence inflicted on her son.
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Nine African American students are blocked from entering Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas by the National Guard. President Eisenhower intervenes by sending federal troops to escort the students, signaling federal support for desegregation.
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Four African American students sit at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, sparking similar non-violent protests across the country. The sit-ins were a pivotal moment in the use of non-violent resistance as a strategy for achieving civil rights.
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Over 250,000 people gather in Washington, D.C., for a rally advocating for civil and economic rights for African Americans. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, calling for an end to racism.
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President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It is one of the most significant legislative achievements of the Civil Rights Movement.
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Civil rights demonstrators march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to protest voting rights discrimination. This event led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed discriminatory voting practices.
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The federal government passes a law to prohibit racial discrimination in voting. It ensures the protection of voting rights for African Americans and is seen as a major victory in the Civil Rights Movement.
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Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, leads to a 381-day boycott. It marked Martin Luther King Jr.’s rise to prominence as a leader of the Civil Rights Movement.
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Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. His death marks a tragic turning point, but his legacy continues to inspire civil rights activism worldwide.