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Birth
James Leonard Farmer,Jr. was born -
1st Segregation Experience
His first segregation experience was with his mom when they were shopping in town. He really wanted a Coca-Cola, but his mom had told him that he had to wait until they got home. He didn’t understand why because he watched another boy go inside and buy a coke. His mother had to tell him that because the other boy was white he could and that because he was colored he couldn’t. -
Age 14, Enrolled at Wiley College
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Earned Bachelor of Science Degree
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Inspired by Gandhi
While studying at Howard University, James learned about Gandhi and his non-violent civil resistance. -
Earned a Bachelor of Divinity
at Howard University -
Invited to the White House
Farmer was invited to the White House to talk with President Roosevelt -
Founded CORE
originally the Committee of Racial Equality, but changes its name a year later to Congress of Racial Equality -
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Married to Winnie Christie
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Married to Lula Peterson
Farmer & Lula were married until her death in 1977. They had 2 children. -
Elected to be the National Director of CORE
Was elected to be the National Director of CORE in Frebruary, 1961. -
Freedom Rides
He worked on lauching the Freedom Riders to fight against segregation on bus travel. In May, 1961, Farmer Jr. launched the first ride. He belived that African American's had the right to get on a bus without being segregated. -
Published Freedom-When?
After resigning from leading CORE, Farmer published his book "Freedom-When?" in 1965. -
Ran for U.S. Congress
ran for U.S. Congress as a Liberal Party candidate backed by the Republican Party, but lost to Shirley Chisholm -
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Became Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, Education & Welfare
the newly elected President Richard Nixon offered him the position of Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The next year, frustrated by the Washington bureaucracy, Farmer resigned from the position. -
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Taught at Mary Washington College
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Autobiography Published
published Lay Bare the Heart -
Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom -
Death
from complications with diabates
