Super Amazing and Awesome Civil Rights Events

African-Americans Not Citizens; Cannot Sue

Oct 1, 1857

The Supreme Court ruled that African-Americans, whether they were free or enslaved, were not citizens of the United States and could not sue in Federal Courts.

13th Amendment Passed

Oct 2, 1865

Slavery is abolished.

14th Amendment Passed

Oct 3, 1868

African-Americans obtain citizenship and civil rights.

15th Amendment Passed

Oct 4, 1870

African-American men obtain voting rights.

Tennessee Segregates Railroad Cars

Oct 5, 1881

Southern and Central states such as Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgie, the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Oklahoma segregate railroad cars.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Oct 6, 1896

The Supreme Court decides that "separate but equal" places satisfy 14th Amendment guarantees, therefore giving legal sanction to "Jim Crow" segregation laws.

Brown v. Board of Education

Oct 7, 1954

The Supreme Court bans school segregation. The first "White Citizens" council forms in Mississippi because of the Supreme Court's Brown decision.

Rosa Parks Boycotts on Bus

Oct 8, 1955

Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat to a white passenger,

First African-American Attends the University of Mississippi

Oct 9, 1962

The first African-American, James Meredith, attends the University of Mississippi, and white protesters riot. Federal troops are sent in to get rid of these riots.

New Orleans Merchants Remove Racial Signs

Oct 10, 1962

New Orleans merchants remove racial signs from toilets and drinking fountains.

Martin Luther King Delivers Speech

Oct 11, 1963

Martin Luther King delivers his "I Have A Dream Speech."

Martin Luther King Jr. Assassinated

Oct 12, 1968

Martin Luther King, Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee,