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Montgomery Bus Boycott
Following Rosa Parks arrest for refusing to get up for a white man on a public bus, meetings were held to boycott riding buses. Martin Luther King believed in nonviolent passive protest. He told his followers to simply stop taking the bus until the legal issues turn in their favor. -
Little Rock Nine
The school board in Little Rock, Arkansas won a court order to let 9 black students into Central High. Orval Faubus, the governor of Arkansas, ordered troops to the school to not let the 9 students enter the building. President Eisenhower is furious when he hears of this, and he removes those troops and sends in 1,000 infantry troops to protect the students during their education. -
Civil Rights Act of 1957
The first civil rights law since Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was intended to secure black rights to vote. After heavy debate in congress, compromise was made and the rights to vote were protected, as well as giving court authority to anyone denying someone the right to vote. -
Sit In Movement
4 college students were interested in the progression of civil rights. As they were thinking of an idea to contribute, one suggested a sit in at department store counter that served whites only. They returned to the store until they were served at the whites only counter, which inspired many people in many cities to take part in sit ins to promote civil rights. -
Freedom Riders
African Americans and white volunteers prostested segregation on interstate buses. When they arrived to their location, they were savagely beaten by order of the Public Safety Commissioner, Theophilus Eugene “Bull” Connor. -
James Meredith and the Desegregation of the University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi avoided allowing african americans to attend their school. James Meredith wished to enroll in the school, but the governor of Mississippi refused to allow it. A frusturated President Kennedy sent 500 troops to escort Meredith through the various riots. -
Protests In Birmingham
Martin Luther King aspires to start up protests in Birmingham Alabama. Following his arrest, he writes a letter from jail commending nonviolent protest and encouraging more. The reelected commssioner Bull Connor orders violent approach to the protesters which leads to Kennedy taking action and signing a new civil rights act. -
March On Washington
200,000 peaceful civil rights advocates of all races, including celebrity appearances, all marched along the Lincoln Memorial to watch Martin Luther King deliver his powerful speech on his dream, to achieve freedom and equality for all Americans. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Lyndon B Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It includes making segregation illegal, and the end of discrimination in the workplace. -
Selma March
Dr. King demands for the ballot. Sheriff Clark of Selma doesn't agree and arms 200 white troopers and deputies encouraging violent retailliation. Leading to the brutal beating of 70 African Americans. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Authorized the U.S. attorney general to send federal examiners to register qualified voters, bypassing local officials who often refused to
register African Americans. Also suspended discrimination in forms of literacy tests. -
MLK Assassination
Dr. Martin Luther King was unfortunately assassinated on a balcony in Memphis Tennessee.
