-
The American Civil War
The American Civil War began in 1851 when the United States became divided in half by slavery. Eleven southern states declared independence from the US and formed the Confederate States of America. The war lasted four years filled with bloody battle. When the war ended in 1865 the death toll was over 600,000 and the North won restoring the peace and repairing the nation.
Click here to go to documentary on the Civil War! -
Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1st of 1863 during the civil war. This very important part of our history set all slaves free. It applied and affected 3 to 4 million slaves, however, at the time it could not be enforced in the south because it had not yet been recaptured. Slowly, as areas were recaptured by the north more slaves gained their freedom.
Click here to for a recording of the Emancipation Proclamation -
15th Amendment Passed
The 15th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on February 3rd 1870. It stated that people could not be denied the right to vote based on their "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." However, states then begun creating poll taxes that many blacks could not afford to pay. States also made literacy tests that also prevented any uneducated blacks from voting.
Click here for a short vidio on the 15th Amendment -
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Plessy vs. Ferguson was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1896 that upheld the laws that were created under the phrase "separate, but equal". It began when Homer Plessy sat in the white train car on a train. When he was asked to move he refused and was soon arrested. He lost the case in a 7 to 1 vote, but still had a big effect on the Civil Rights Movement.
Click here to read about Plessy vs. Ferguson -
The Red Summer
The Red Summer of 1919 was a gruesome summer when over 36 riots took place. The riots took place in the north and the south, but all initiated by whites. Thousands of blacks and whites were injured in the fighting, and others were killed. Several cities were thrown in to chaos for days before peace was restored. The riots also set off lynching’s everywhere and no one was ever blamed.
Click here for more on the Red Summer -
The Great Depression
In the United States the great depression began after the stock market crash in 1929. Millions of investors were wiped out and companies began to fall. People stopped spending and lost jobs. Banks across the country began to fail and 15 million Americans (over 20%) were jobless. After Franklin Roosevelt was elected in 1933 he began to take measures to help spark the recovery of the economy.
Click here for more info -
Jesse Owens Wins 4 Gold Medals
Jesse Owens was an amazing African American Athlete. In 1936 he won 4 Olympic gold medals and showed that black people were also talented. He proved Hitler wrong about Aryan supremacy and was one of the greatest runners in history. He once set 3 world records and tied a 4th in 45 minutes. He is still the highest ranking in the sport. Jesse Owens was loved and helped rise black populations spirits.
Click here for a video on Jesse Owens -
The Little Leage Forms
The Little League was founded in 1939 by Carl E. Stotz. The Little League was the first non-segregated sport in the United States. This defiantly made a statement in the Civil Rights Movement. It started small with three teams and now the Little League has branched out internationally, organizing baseball teams all over the world.
Click here for more on the history of the Little League -
Black Police Are Hired
During 1946 lots of major cities begun to hireblack police officers. This finally gave African Americans a place in the law enfocemant system. Now they can have some say-so in the law enforcmaent sysem. Police werehired in cities including Little Rock, Arkansas; Louisville, Kentucky; Charlotte, North Carolina; and many more.Click here for info from retired black police officers -
Segregation Banned in DC Resteraunts
In Washington DC lots of old segregation laws were repealed in 1953. Blacks were also allowed to buy any housing in the city, as long as they were a respectable citizen. This was when the tide turned to racial equality in Washington DC. Everyone could go out and enjoy a nice dinner in the city that they live in. It started as a small campaign in 1952 and made a big difference.
Click here for more information -
Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. Board of education was a landmark Supreme Court case that over turned the thought of separate but equal. The court decided the separate schools were not equal. This was a major point in the Civil Rights Movement because it desegregated all public schools.
Click here for more information -
Gwynn Oak Amusement Park is Desegregated
The Gwynn Oak Amusement Park was the location of lots of anti-segregation protests because it was only open to white people. It was not desegregated until 1963 when black people could finally visit the park. The park featured 3 roller coasters a Ferris wheel and other common rides. After many years of protesting Gwynn Oak Amusement Park was finally desegregated.
Click to view a slide show of the 50 year celbration of the park. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the climax of the Civil Rights Movement. It banned all types of segregation for the entire country. It included all voting requirements that used to attempt to prevent blacks from voting, The Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson ending racial inequality. After lots of fighting thousands of people’s dreams became a reality.Click here to read more information. -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 enforced and protected the 15th Amendment. It completely fortified voting rights for all races. It made sure that everyone had the right to vote and that no one was deprived of their rights. It had a major significance in the Civil Rights Movement because blacks could no longer be deprived of their voting rights in any way.Click here for a video on voting rights. -
Barack Obama Becomes First Black President
Barack Obama was sworn into office on January 20th 2009. He became the 44th President of the United States of America. Barack Obama became the first African American president of the US. He is currently serving his second term as President. In 2009, Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As the first African American President Barack Obama made history.Click here for a video of the inauguration.
