Civil Rights Movement

  • The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott decision to deny citizenship and constitutional rights to all black people, legally establishing the race as "subordinate, inferior beings -- whether slave or freedmen."

    The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott decision to deny citizenship and constitutional rights to all black people, legally establishing the race as "subordinate, inferior beings -- whether slave or freedmen."
  • Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln freed slaves in the Confederacy.

    Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln freed slaves in the Confederacy.
  • The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery.

    The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery.
  • The First Civil Rights Act invalidated these "Black Codes," conferring the "rights of citizenship" on all black people.

    The First Civil Rights Act invalidated these "Black Codes," conferring the "rights of citizenship" on all black people.
  • The 14th Amendment granted due process and equal protection under the law to African Americans.

    The 14th Amendment granted due process and equal protection under the law to African Americans.
  • The 15th Amendment granted blacks the right to vote, including former slaves.

    The 15th Amendment granted blacks the right to vote, including former slaves.
  • Congress passed a third Civil Rights Act in response to many white business owners and merchants who refused to make their facilities and establishments equally available to black people.

    Congress passed a third Civil Rights Act in response to many white business owners and merchants who refused to make their facilities and establishments equally available to black people.
  • Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white

    Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white
    In response to her arrest, the Montgomery black community launched a bus boycott that lasted over a year until the buses desegregated on Dec. 21, 1956. Martin Luther King Jr was the leader.
  • President Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925.

    President Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925.
    Prohibiting discrimination in federal government hiring on the basis of race, religion or national origin and establishing The President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.
  • I Have a Dream Speech

    I Have a Dream Speech
    More than 250,000 people join in the March on Washington. Congregating at the Lincoln Memorial, participants listened as Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
  • Bloody Sunday

    Bloody Sunday
    Blacks began a march to Montgomery in support of voting rights, but were stopped at the Edmund Pettus Bridge by a police blockade in Selma, Ala. State troopers and the Dallas County Sheriff's Department, some mounted on horseback, awaited them. In the presence of the news media, the lawmen attacked the peaceful demonstrators with billy clubs, tear gas and bull whips, driving them back into Selma.
  • President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968

    President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968
    Prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of housing.
  • Congress passed the Civil Rights Restoration Act.

    Congress passed the Civil Rights Restoration Act.
    Overriding President Ronald Reagan's veto, Congress passed the Civil Rights Restoration Act, which expanded the reach of nondiscrimination laws within private institutions receiving federal funds.