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Freedom Rides
Beginning on this day, a group of 13 African-Americans and white civil rights activists launched a series of bus trips through the south to protest segregation in interstate bus terminals. African-Americans tried to use "whites-only" restrooms and lunch counters, and vice versa. Later on, in September 1961, the Interstate Commerce Commission prohibited segregation in bus and train stations nationwide. -
March on Washington
Over 200,000 Americans gathered at the nation's capital for a rally known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The effort was made to shed light on the political and social problems that African-Americans faced. The march featured Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. In this speech, King preached how he wanted blacks and whites to have equal rights and coexist well in America's future. -
16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
A bomb exploded before Sunday morning services in this Birmingham church. Four young girls were killed and many others were injured. The violent aftermath drew national attention to African-Americans' struggle for civil rights. Blacks began to campaign for equal rights in the city, and eventually, their wishes were granted. In May 1964, an agreement was made to integrate public facilities in Birmingham. -
24th Amendment
This amendment abolishes the poll tax, which previously was implemented in 11 southern states following Reconstruction. These states utilized the poll tax to make it harder for blacks to vote. The amendment is another step in levelling out the playing field and set the standard for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Prior to the passage of the amendment, there had been many anti-poll tax protests. -
Civil Rights Act
This act ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It is considered to be one of the biggest achievements of the civil rights movement as it is a huge step for blacks in gaining more rights. In the picture, President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act into law. -
Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits discrimination in voting. It is widely considered to be a landmark civil rights legislation because blacks no longer had to worry about facing discrimination at the polls. African-American votes greatly increased in the South thanks to this act. -
Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act is a follow up to the Civil Rights Act, and it provides for equal housing opportunities regardless of race, religion, or national origin. This is another landmark legislation in the civil rights movement as blacks were provided with more rights, and it ties in with the LCA’s efforts of trying to promote fair housing locally. -
Shaker Schools Plan
The Shaker Schools Plan was a voluntary busing program to promote integration in the schools. As a result of the program, Shaker became and remains one of the most diverse school systems today.
