Madelyn Elmore: Civil Rights Timeline

  • Sweatt v. Painter (supreme court case)

    This case questioned how much the 14th amendment limited states power.
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    1950s

    In the 1950s civil rights movements were just starting to make waves. The major fights were against segregation in public schools. Major rulings were Brown v Board.
  • Keys v. Carolina Coach (supreme court case)

    Sara Keys was a black woman riding on a bus traveling across state lines. She refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white person. This case made busses that travel across state lines unsegregated.
  • MLK Jr

    Martin Luther King Jr was a major advocate in the civil righs movement. MLK led the many protests and worked with presidents in order to create change for people of color in America.
  • Emmett Till Murder

    Emmett Till was a fourteen year old, African american, child. Emmett till was accused of whistling at a white woman. The men in the community murdered Emmett Till. The woman later confessed to lying.
  • Montgomery Bus Boycotts

    A civil rights protest in Alabama where buses were not avoided. This was in an effort to change legislation and get rid of Jim Crow Laws. These laws forced black people to be in separate spaces than white people.
  • Creation of the Montgomery Improvement Association (no violence)

    The Montgomery Improvement Association was a group that worked for Civil Rights. Their main goal was to end segregation on busses
  • Founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (no violence)

    The Southern Leadership Conference was a group that branched off the Montgomery Improvement Association. They took part in the Bus-Boycotts.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1957 (legislation)

    The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first peace of Civil Rights legislation. It was signed into law by President Eisenhower. The 1957 Civil Rights Act allowed prosecution for individuals that didn't let all people exercise their right vote.
  • The Little Rock Nine (legislation)

    The Little Rock Nine were a group of black high school students who, after segregation was lifted for schools through Board v. Brown, decided to go to a predominantly white high school. White students and parents were extremely rude and threatened these children.
  • Cooper v. Aaron (supreme court case)

    Arkansas tried to pass legislation that undermined Brown v. Board of Ed. Solidified that segregation in public schools in illegal.
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    1960s

    In the 1960s the Civil Rights movement became more legislation focused. We saw the election of a new president as well as the passing of the second Civil Rights Act.
  • Greensboro Sit-in

    A civil rights protest in Greensboro, North Carolina. A group of black students remained in a dinner after being denied service. The students refused to move and many were arrested.
  • Freedom Rides (protest)

    The freedom rides were protests against the segregation of black people. They traveled around the south and protested. In some of the places they stopped they faced violence and oppostion.
  • Albany Campaign

    The Albany Campaign was an effort by many different organization that worked for people of color. They worked to eradicate segregation in Albany with large demonstrations and non violent efforts.
  • Integration of the University of Mississippi (legislation)

    James Meredith was the first black student to attended the University of Mississippi. Groups of white, pro-segregation students protested Meredith's acceptance.
  • Birmingham Movement (protest)

    In 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King worked with other groups in Birmingham to eradicate segregation in the city. They used economics protest to influence the government in Birmingham to reduce and change legislation around segregation.
  • Assassination of Medgar Evars (violence by opposition)

    Medgar Evars was killed on the way home from a NAACP function. His wife and children found him bleeding out on their front steps.
  • March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (protest)

    A protest that took place at the National Mall and is one of the largest gatherings ever. This was a protest specifically to target the discrimination of people of color in the workplace. During this protest MLK spoke and gave the "I have a dream" speach.
  • Mississippi Freedom Summer (violence by opposition)

    Mississippi was one of the most aggressive states in opposition to destroying segregation. Freedom Summer was an effort to help black people in Mississippi register to vote. The individuals who volunteered were warned of the likelihood of arrest and violence. After the project some activists were reported missing.
  • Heart of Atlanta Motel vs. US (supreme court case)

    The Heart of Atlanta Motel wanted to discriminate against people of color. They argued that forcing their company to allow people of color to lodge there was an infringement of their rights.
  • Malcom X

    Malcom X was an advocate for civil rights in America. Early on he took a more violent approach that garnered less support than his non-violent counterparts. Malcom X later softened and became less violent. He gain a lot of support after this shift.
  • Civil Rights Act (legislation)

    The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was legislation passed the made discrimination based on race, gender, and religion illegal. President Eisenhower signed this into law.
  • Assassination of Malcolm X (violence by opposition)

    Malcom X was assassinated during a speech. As Malcom X's popularity and voice grew there became and increasing number of threats on his life. Malcom X was succeeded by 6 children and his wife.
  • March from Selma to Montgomery (protest)

    Many people gathered in Selma, Alabama and marched to Montgomery in protest of voting discrimination. This sparked many more marches, some led by MLK.
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965 (legislation)

    The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Johnson. This legislation made voting practices that were discriminatory illegal. This made literacy tests, a major barrier for people of color, illegal.
  • James Meredith’s March Against Fear (protest)

    James Meredith bagan I walk from Memphis, TN to Jackson, MI. James was shot early in his walk. Many organizations continued this March in his honor.
  • Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. (violence by opposion)

    Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis Tennessee. MLK's murder prompted many racially motivated attacks.
  • Fair Housing Act (legislation)

    The Fair Housing Act made discrimination when providing homes based on race, sex, or religion illegal. This law was applied to all forms of housing, rental, purchasing, and even real estate financing.
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    1970s

    In the 1970s the Vietnam War became a major issue in American. There was also many rights movement for many minority groups.
  • Swann vs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (supreme court case)

    This court case decided in favor of bus programs that worked for integration in public schools. At the time, very few children of color attended integrated schools. However, bus programs were utilized to promote segregation.
  • Shirley Chisolm’s Presidential Campaign

    Shirley Chisolm was the first black person and woman of color to be a democratic party nominee. She ran with the slogan "Unbought and unbossed". Shirley Chisolm did not win but continued to be an advocate and severed on congress.
  • Hank Aaron’s Home Run Record (no violence)

    Hank Aaron broke the world record for the most home runs in career in 1974. Aaron had 715 home runs. The old record was held by Babe Ruth.
  • Barbara Jordan’s Address at the Democratic National Convention (no violence)

    Barbara Jordan was the first woman of color to deliver a key note address for a major party. Barbra Jordan called for the american people to work more for "the common good".
  • University of California Regents vs. Bakke (supreme court case)

    The University of California implemented a racial quota. They reserved some spots for people of color. A white man was upset that he was rejected because the white spots had all been taken.