Civil Rights Timeline

  • Segregation Ends in Armed Services

    President Harry Truman issues executive order 9981 to end segregation in Armed Services.
  • Brown Vs. Board of Education

    a consolidation of 5 cases into one is decided by supreme court effectively ending racial segregation in public schools.
  • Montgomery Bus Boycott

    Rosa Park refuses to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. Resulting in year long boycott of bus by Blacks resulting in start of eliminating barriers to transportation access equal rights for blacks.
  • Little Rock Nine

    Nine Black students known as the little rock nine are blocks from integrating into the Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. President Eisenhower eventually sends federal troops to escort them.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1957

    Eisenhower signs Civil Rights Act of 1957 into law to help protect voter rights. This law allows federal prosecution of those who suppress another's right to vote.
  • Greensboro Sit-In

    Four African American college students refuse to give up their seats at a "white only" lunch counter without being served as a nonviolent protest for equality. Sparks similar sit-in's throughout the city and other states.
  • March for Washington

    Approx 250,000 people take part in March on Washinton for jobs and Freedom. Martin Luther gives his "I Have A Dream" speech as the closing address.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1964

    President Lyndon B. Johnson signs act into law preventing employment discrimination due to race, color, sex, religion, or national origin.
  • Voting Rights Act of 1965

    President Johnson signs act to prevent use of literacy tests as a voting requirement.
  • Fair Housing Act

    President Johnson signs Civil Rights Act 1968 known as Fair Housing Act to provide equal housing opportunity regardless of race, religion or national origin.