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Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall argued in favor of Linda Brown who had to walk farther to an African American only school. Marshall argued that this caused psychological damage and lowered students self worth. In the end, this won him the case and in May 17th, 1954 it was declared by the Supreme Court that segregation in all public schools is illegal. -
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Civil Rights Era
An ever-changing time in American history where great leaders rose to defend the rights of African Americans. This time was about equality for everyone, no matter race, gender. No matter social class, it was about basic human rights. -
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was an African American woman who one day decided to sit at the front of the bus. She was then asked to move to the back for a white man to sit in her seat. After refusing, she was eventually jailed which drew much attention and started the Montgomery Bus Boycott. African Americans made up a large portion of bus riders so busses were making less money due to the boycott. A year later the Supreme Court declared segregation on busses unconstitutional. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was the main leader of the Civil Rights Movement. He was an amazing speaker and helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference . He performed many memorable speeches and orchestrated many peaceful protests. He preached nonviolence, he wanted equality not just for African Americans, but for everybody. -
The Little Rock Nine
In Arkansas, schools started desegregating with little opposition. The Little Rock School Board agreed to start desegregating in September 1957 when nine African American students would attend the all white central high school. Governor Faubus then sent National Guard to the school, preventing the children from entering the school. After the National Guard was removed, white mobs began t0 protest more, In the end, the 101st Airborne Division safely let the Little Rock Nine in the school. -
The Kennedy Aministration
John F. Kennedy won the election of 1960 against Republican candidate Richard M. Nixon by less than 120,000 votes . During his presidency, Kennedy created many aid programs, for example, the Peace Corps and Alliance for Progress. Kennedy also created a Civil Rights Bill, but it wasn't passed until Lyndon B. Johnson became president due to the fear of losing voters. One of Kennedy's worst failures during his presidency was the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion which was an embarrassment to the U.S. -
The Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were a group of integrated people trained by CORE to protest nonviolently. These protests would take place on two busses that would travel down South to expose segregated cities. During these rides, white southerners reacted violently in Alabama gaining national attention. They never made it to their destination of New Orleans due to the violence, but they were able to get another group of Freedom Riders to travel South, which got the federal government involved. -
Eugene "Bull" Connor Unleashes Dogs, and Uses Fire Hoses on Peaceful Protesters
On May 3rd, 1963, Civil Rights protesters were planning on protesting in the downtown business area of Birmingham, Alabama. Eugene "Bull" Connor, Commissioner of Public Safety for Birmingham, Alabama, had thought of a new way to stop protesters. Having control of the fire, and police department, he began to spray protesters with fire hoses, and even releasing dogs on them. This was a terrible act that was backwards movement for Civil Rights -
Head of The Mississippi NAACP is Murdered Outside of His Home
Medgar W. Evers was head of the Mississippi NAACP. He moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where he traveled throughout the state and recruited new members, organized voter registration drives, and organized economic boycotts on businesses. With tensions increasing, he was ambushed outside of his home and shot. Evers became national news the nest day. The murder of this leader was a setback for the Civil Rights movement. -
The March to Washington D.C.
Over 200,000 black and whites marched to D.C, led by 74 year old A. Phillip Randolph. At the Lincoln Memorial, speeches against racism and hate were given, and speeches for equality. At this nonviolent protest, Martin Luther King Jr. gave one of his most memorable speeches of all time, the "I Have a Dream..." speech. -
The Johnson Administration
Hours after the unexpected assassination of President Kennedy, Lyndon Baines Johnson is sworn in as president. Johnson has an idea for a "Great Society" where he created programs and offices like PBS, Medicare, Medicaid, Office of Economic Opportunity and Volunteers in Service to America. Even though he created all these programs and fought for Civil Rights, his biggest downfall began in Vietnam. When the U.S got involved in Vietnam, domestic opposition grew and funding for programs decreased. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a major piece of legislation passed. Its one of the most important pieces of legislation passed during the Civil Rights movement, and maybe even of the 20th century. This forbid racism, and made discrimination because of skin color in the work force illegal. Not only was this just for skin color, it also included sex, religion, and national origin. This was huge step forward since the national government was beginning to take action towards Civil Rights. -
Andrew Goodman
Andrew Goodman was a major Civil Rights activist who worked on the "Freedom Summer" project for the Congress of Racial Equality. He especially helped African Americans vote in more rural areas where they would have less opportunity to do so. Due to him and his friends activism, one night they were arrested by Deputy Sheriff and Klansman, Cecil Price, for the false reason of speeding. After he released them, he arrested them again and brought them to more Klansman where all three were shot. -
Jimmie Lee Jackson
Jimmie Lee Jackson was Civil Rights activist in Marion, Alabama. He was also a Deacon in a Baptist Church. Jimmie Lee Jackson was a peaceful protester, while protesting for voting rights in a march, he was beaten and shoot by State Troopers. His unjust death was able to inspire the Selma to Montgomery March in the end. -
Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a part of the Black Muslims and during this time believed violence was the answer, and that other races weren't superior. After a pilgrimage to Mecca, he changed, he wanted to work with other races and believed noviolence was the answer. Like Martin Luther King Jr, he was an amazing speaker and was sought after often. He spoke in public often, and because of his new views, he was assassinated by three Black Muslims February 21st, 1965. -
The Selma to Montgomery March
The Selma to Montgomery March was inspired by Jimmie Lee Jackson, a peaceful protester who was beat, then shot by state troopers. The march was led by Martin Luther King Jr. An estimated 600 people participated in the march, The march was 54 miles long, and it was for voting registration. In the end, the march led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. -
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
On August 10th, 1965, The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was approved. After all the protesting, the act was finally signed. It prohibited racial discrimination in voting which is a big step forward in Civil Rights. In the end, it was a major piece of legislation passed during that time. -
The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr
On April 4th, 1968, James Earl Ray fatally shot Martin Luther King Jr. at Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. This was not only a set back for the Civil Rights movement, but a sad time in America. An idol to soo many was killed just for wanting equality. Many riots took place after too which set back the movement even more.
