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Period: to
1950-1970
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Brown v. Board of Education
A controversial United States Supreme Court case involving Oliver L. Brown and the Board of Education that debated about segregation in public schools in the United States. The result was a declaring of having "seperate but equal" schools as unconstitutional. -
Montgomery Buss Boycott
A political and social civil rights protest movement that became known as the Montgomery Buss Boycott began with Rosa Park's refusal to move when asked to give up her seat to a white person. This later sparked a outbreak of African Americans refusing to take the bus and instead opt for walking or by carpooling. The movement remain prevalent for more than a year. -
Founding of SCLC
The organization SCLC, promptly abbrievated for Southern Christian Leadership Conference, was created in result of the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Martin Luther King Jr. was elected as its leader, and the organization played a major role in many civil rights movements. Many including the "March on Washington" rally, vote registration drives, Birmingham and Selma campaigns, and the support of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 involved the efforts of SCLC. -
Little Rock Nine
After the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling of segregation in public schools being unconstitutional, the NCAAP wanted to integrate 9 black students to Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. The result however, were dismayed Southern Arkasanians including the governor himself. -
Greensboro Four
Four students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University protested by "sitting-in" at a whites-only lunch counter in Woolworth's store in Greensboro, North Carolina. They became known as the Greensboro Four, and subsequently acheived fame and inspired other sit-ins throughout America. -
Freedom Riders
Civil rights activists participated in riding in interstate buses through the segregated southern states of the United States to challenge the neligence of southern enforcement on segregated public facilities and the lack of federal government concern. The Freedom Riders brought light to the situation in most southern states on the controversial situation of racial segregation. -
Assassination of Medgar Evers
Medgar Evers is assassinated by Byron De La Beckwith, a Ku Klux Klan member, whom provoked a 3-day trial with a controversial jury failure to reach verdict ruling. Evers' case inspired civil protestors and showed the extent of fraud in Southern U.S courts. -
The Great March on Washington
One of the prestigious civil rights rallies, crowds of approximately 200,000 protestors and more gathered in Washington D.C. at the Lincoln Memorial to preach for jobs and freedom. It was here that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. Its significance came in the fact that it helped passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. -
Bombing of Birmingham Church
The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama was bombed, killing four African American girls and signaled one of the first aggressive acts from whites that resulted in fatalities of African Americans. The event inspired the support for the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 -
Murder of 3 Civil Rights Workers
Mississippi civil rights workers, James Earl Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were beaten, shot, and killed by Mississippi Ku Klux Klan members during the civil rights movement of "Freedom Summer." News of their murder further fueled the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights of 1965, and a national search enforced by President Lyndon B. Johnson enveloped after the three men was found missing after being arrested for speeding on a country road. -
Passing of Civil Rights Act of 1964
With President Kennedy's urging of a much needed civil rights act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a milestone for many civil right advocators. President Johnson officially signed for its approval to pass and with it, allowed for non-discrimination against minorities and their religious affliation, ended unequal application for voter registration, and banned racial segregation in schools and public facilities. -
Bloody Sunday
The civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery initiated by Martin Luther King Jr. resulted in 600 protestors culminating in a 3 seperate marches. The first one known as "Bloody Sunday" protestors were met with police who brutally beat and used tear gas on them. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964, came the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Act prohibited any state to impose any regulations or qualifications restricting or denying the right of citizens to vote efficiently. The Act allowed African Americans to vote freely where in the past they were restricted from Southern imposition resulting in very little African American voting. -
Founding of The Black Panther Party
The Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale with aims to protect African Americans from police brutality. The organization gained widespread national fame for its radical movement in promoting African American culture and aggression towards whites. The organization emphasized "Black Power" and subsequently developed a hand salute indicated a member and his or her involvement within the organization. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
King's prominent figure gave way to many opportunities of hate and violence. Martin Luther King Jr. was subsequently assassinated at the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis by James Earl Ray, further fueling the dismayed civil rights community with the loss of their leader who advocated non-violence.
