-
Plessy vs. Ferguson
The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation was legal if it is "separate but equal." The ruling of this case also gave strength to Jim Crow laws. -
Brown vs. Board
The Supreme Court ruled that separate education facilities were unconstitutional, overruling the Plessy vs. Ferguson "separate but equal" policy. In result, courts ordered states to end segregation "with deliberate speed." -
Death of Emmett Till
Before his death, Emmett Till, an African American, was kidnapped and brutally beaten at the age of 14 for allegedly "talking to a white woman." Racism was so strong during this age that whites and blacks usually did not even associate. This was especially shown through separate facilities for each race such as restrooms and even drinking fountains. The public awareness of his death only proved how intense racism was, especially in the south. -
Montgomery bus boycott
African American refused to ride buses in Montgomery, Alabama to show their anger about segregation. This boycott lasted until December 20, 1955 and is considered the "first large-scale demonstration against segregation in the U.S." -
March on Washington
250,000 people participated in the "march on Washington" for jobs and freedom. This march helped influence public opinion to support civil rights legislation through a non-violent mass protest. The participants were inspired by the "i have a dream" speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. -
Bloody Sunday
Blacks began to march from Selma to Montgomery in support of voting rights, but were forced to a stop when they were stopped by police at the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma, Alabama. When protesters refused orders to turn around, police brutally attacked the peaceful demonstrators and hospitalized over 50 people. "This march was considered the catalyst for pushing though the voting rights act 5 months later." -
Voting Rights Act
The passage of this act outlawed literacy tests. An increase in African American voters was a significant result in this passage. Before, literacy tests were designed so that when taken, they were not possible to pass, which continued to allow only white men to vote. -
Gay marriage is legalized
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is legal for same sex marriage in all 50 states. This made a huge movement in the lgbtq community allowing them to have equal rights as opposite sex marriages. Now they can marry whomever they want without being discriminated. -
