Civil Rights Timeline

By timelineMBSN

  • Brown v. Board of Education

    The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, ending "separate but equal."

  • Montgomery Bus Boycott

    After Rosa Parks was arrested, African Americans in Montgomery boycotted buses for over a year to protest segregation.

  • Desegregation of Little Rock Central High School

    Nine Black students integrated an all-white high school under protection from federal troops.

  • Greensboro Sit-In

    Black college students sat at a whites-only lunch counter, sparking a wave of peaceful sit-ins.
  • Ruby Bridges Desegregates School

    Ruby Bridges Desegregates School

    Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South.
  • Katherine Johnson at NASA

    Katherine Johnson at NASA

    Katherine Johnson calculated key flight paths for NASA missions, including John Glenn’s orbit and Apollo 11. "Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. Sometimes they have more imagination than men" (Katherine Johnson)
  • March on Washington

    March on Washington

    Over 250,000 people marched in D.C. to demand civil rights; MLK Jr. gave his famous speech. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character" (MLK Jr)

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964 Signed

    This law ended segregation and banned discrimination in jobs, schools, and public places.
  • Selma to Montgomery Marches

    Selma to Montgomery Marches

    Civil rights activists marched to demand voting rights; they were attacked on “Bloody Sunday.”
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965

    Voting Rights Act of 1965

    This law banned literacy tests and other methods used to stop Black Americans from voting.

  • Fair Housing Act Passed

    The Fair Housing Act outlawed discrimination in housing based on race, religion, and more.

  • Dr. Clifton Wharton Jr. Becomes University President

    Dr. Wharton became the first Black president of a major public university, leading Michigan State.

  • Founding of the Congressional Black Caucus

    African American members of Congress formed the CBC to promote civil rights and Black interests.

  • Satchel Paige Inducted into Hall of Fame

    Baseball great Satchel Paige was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his achievements in the Negro Leagues.

  • Shirley Chisholm Runs for President

    Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm made history as the first Black woman to seek a major party’s nomination.

  • Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

    The court ruled that racial quotas in college admissions are unconstitutional but allowed race to be considered.

  • Jesse Jackson Runs for President

    Jesse Jackson ran for the Democratic nomination, gaining strong support and pushing for Black political power.

  • Rodney King Verdict & LA Riots

    After officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King, protests erupted into riots in Los Angeles.
  • Barack Obama Elected President

    Barack Obama Elected President

    Barack Obama made history as the first African American elected President of the United States.
  • George Floyd Protests

    George Floyd Protests

    After George Floyd’s death in police custody, protests erupted worldwide calling for justice and reform.