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The Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat. This caused many African Americans to boycott the buses to end segregation. they were segregated. The Montgomery Improvement Association formed was formed by Martin Luther King Jr. Their movement eventually saw buses desegregated.
Fun Fact: Rosa Parks Birthday February 4th is now a holiday Rosa Parks Day it is also National Thank a Mailman Day -
The Little Rock 9
Central High school saw 9 black students sign up for the school.Before this. It was very uncommon for African Americans to pursue higher level education, especially at a primarily white institution. The NAACP used to help prepare Blacks as well as the National Guard. President Eisenhower made the desc ion to allowed the 9 to go to school.
Fun Fact: Orval Faubus (the Governor of Arkansas who pushed for segregation) died of prostate cancer -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
Signed by Eisenhower, the Act of 1957 focused on voting rights. By allowing the Government to secure people's right to vote offenders could face severe consequences. This added helped many African Americans and is a vital part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Fun Fact: The longest Filibuster took place during this by Senator Thurmond -
The Sit-in Movement
Blacks were segregated by many local businesses. In order to change this African American college students went to an all white food area in a Woolworth's store and asked to buy coffee. After being denied and abused by the rest in the store they did not react in a violent way. This showed how many believed Civil Rights were necessary and could be accomplished in a nonviolent way.
Fun Fact: Woolworth is known as one of the most famous five-and-dime store. -
Freedom Riders
Freedom Riders where civil rights activist who rode the buses in order to encourage the end of segregation. They were recruited by the Congress of Racial Equality. Many eager African Americans joined along until the South made it illegal to have the Riders around.
Fun Fact: The Freedom Riders were inspired by the 1947 Journey of Reconciliation -
James Meredith and the Desegregation of the University of Mississippi
James Meredith had ambitious college goals. He applied to the University of Mississippi, but there were many who opposed this. So much so that many riots broke out. Some where hurt, some were even arrested, and 2 died. Kennedy sent 31,000 Federal Authorities to stop the riots.
Fun Fact: James Meredith believed in Divine Responsibility or the belief to take action -
Protests in Birmingham
These protests were mostly boycotts. The Protesters would march down in City Hall speaking for equal Civil Rights. Law Enforcement was very cruel and did things such as spraying people with hoses and releasing dogs. Martin Luther King Jr. and others were given time in jail.
Fun Fact: While in jail MLK wrote a letter that is said by many to be the most "outstanding piece" of rhetoric ever written -
The March on Washington
Thousands flooded Washington for the great gathering. Employment and freedom were the things in focus. Both Blacks and some forward thinking Whites attended to hear the primary speak Dr. Martin Luther King. It is here where his famous "I have a dream speech" was given.
Fun Fact: A. Philip Randolph an organizer for the event, played the role of Romeo in the Shakespearean Society of Harlem -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Originally the Act was something John F. Kennedy wanted to carry out. He wanted equality for all and worked with congress to do this.However due to his unexpected death Johnson was the one who ultimately carried out the plan. This Act included voting rights, integrated schools, and prevention of discrimination. The act made segregation illegal and further enforced against it.
Fun Fact: The original vote was more popular by the Republican Party, 80% agreement vs Democratic 60% -
The Selma March
The Southern Christian Leadership were the one's responsible for bringing this together. The goal was help African Americans be able to vote more freely in the South. While marching from Selma to Montgomery, marchers received heavy abuse. National Guard Troops were able to keep the violence to a minimum.
Fun Fact: Marchers traveled a distance equal to about two marathon races (50 Miles) -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This act further allowed Blacks to vote.They were given full rights to the 15th amendment without the discrimination that fallowed them before. Despite not being able to eliminate racist slander and opposition from Segregationists, Lyndon B. Johnson was able to pass the new Act. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most surprising events in history. He was killed by James Earl Ray. The assassin used a a sniper that shot King in the neck as he stood on a balcony of the Loraine Motel. This event shocked many African Americans and all Civil Rights Activists. His influence was respected by many although many were infuriated by the occurrence.
Fun Fact: James Earl Ray was both a fugitive and a former soldier who served in Germany.