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Plessy v. Furguson
The U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the racist policy of segregation by legalizing “separate but equal” facilities for blacks and whites. -
The Birth of a Nation released
The film "The Birth of a Nation" was released and is regarded as one of the most racist films in history -
Executive Order 8802 Signed
FDR signed executive order 8802 into action, which ends the segregation of government employment. -
Brown v. Board
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimous decision that overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine in public schools. -
Emmett Till Mudered
Emmett Till was murdered in Money, Mississippi. -
Rosa Parks arrested
Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery City Bus and was arrested. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
The Montgomery Bus Boycott begins. -
Little Rock 9
The Little Rock 9 enter Central High School as federal troops oversee the situation sent by President Eisenhower. -
Lunch sit-in
4 black college students sat at an all-white lunch counter and started a sit-in protest at a Woolworth’s store. -
Ruby Bridges integrates an elementary school
Ruby Bridges became the first African American child to integrate a southern elementary school -
Freedom Rides
Freedom riders begin a bus ride through the South to protest segregation. -
James Meredith Integrates Ole Miss
James Meredith became the first African American to enroll at Ole Miss. -
MLK Jr. Arrested in Birmingham
Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in Birmingham protesting in the “most segregated city in America.” -
Medgar Evers Assassinated
Civil Rights activist, Medgar Evers, was shot and killed in the driveway of his home. -
March on Washington
More than 250,000 people, march on Washington to demand immediate passage of the civil rights bill. -
JFK Assassinated
John F Kennedy was assassinated in Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald. -
Civil Rights Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the premier legislation for Civil Rights into law. -
Malcolm X assassinated
Malcolm X was shot and killed in New York by members of the Nation of Islam. -
Selma Marches
A march from Selma to Montgomery to fight for voting rights begins. -
Voting Rights Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law outlawing literacy tests. -
Watts Riots
Riots broke out one week after the Voting Rights Act was passed. The riots lasted 6 days and demolished the city. -
"Black Panthers" founded
Huey Newton & Bobby Seale founded the “Black Power” political group known as the Black Panthers. -
MLK Jr. Assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis. -
Bobby Kennedy Assassinated
Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed in California by Sirhan Sirhan. -
Last Known Lynching
After an all black jury found an African American not guilty of murdering a white police officer, two KKK members lynched 19 year old Michael Donald.
