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Plessy v. Ferguson
On this day, the state upheld racial segregation that supposedly fell in line with the 14th amendment. The defendant, Plessy, had taken a seat in a whites only car and refused to move when he was told to. The ruling established that separate facilities were constitutional as long as those separate facilities are equal. (https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/163us537) -
Brown v. Topeka Board of Education
On this day, the previously held idea of "separate but equal" public facilities was overturned. It was decided that "separate but equal" schools were inherently unequal, and that the idea of these separate facilities was unconstitutional due to their inequity. The court not only allowed for black children to attend white schools because of their better quality facilities, it also sparked a fire in the civil rights movement. (http://www.history.com) -
The Little Rock Nine
On this day, nine students were escorted into a previously all white school. The "Little Rock Nine" were a group of students enrolled at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Although the federal government had declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, Governor Orval Faubus ordered the state national guard to keep the students from entering the school. Presided Dwight D. Eisenhower issued federal troops to escort the students into school (http://www.history.com/) -
Greensboro Four
On this day, four young black men (Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr. & David Richmond) entered a F.W. Woolworth store and sat in the whites only section of the store.
When the group was asked to leave, they stayed til closing. They continued these actions for days after, and the crowds grew each day. The protests went on for months, making an impact on the community til F.W. Woolworth stores became desegregated. (https://www.sitinmovement.org/history/greensboro-chronology.asp) -
March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
On this day, more than 200,000 people gathered in Washington D.C. for one of the biggest political rallies in history. The rally aimed to show the community the political and social challenges African Americans faced. The March On Washington became a key moment in the civil rights movement. (http://www.history.com) -
The murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman & Michael Schwemer
On this day, three young civil rights workers (James Chaney, Andrew Goodman & Michael Schwer) were murdered by the Klu Klux Klan in Neshoba County Tennessee, after being arrested. During the investigation, it was found the Neshoba County police department had close ties with the KKK. The FBI arrested arrested 18 men in connection with the murders. (http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmjustice4.html) -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
On this day, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law. The act insured that discrimination in public places was no more, and that people had equal employment opportunities regardless of race, religion, sex, or national origin. The Civil Rights Act (signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson) was a big step for not only the African American community, but America as a whole.(http://www.history.com/) -
Voting Rights Act
On this day, the voting rights act was signed into law by president Lyndon B. Johnson. This act was attempting to overcome the barriers that prevented African Americans from voting in specific states. The act banned the use of literacy tests, along with other things that prevented blacks from voting. (http://www.history.com/) -
Loving v. Virginia
On this day, the ruling was handed down in the Loving v. Virginia case. Two Virginians, Mildred Jeter (A black woman) and Richard Loving (A white man) had gotten married in the district of Columbia. When the two returned to their home in Virginia, they were told they had violated laws against interracial marriage. The court ruled that two people have the right to marry, or not marry, regardless of race. (https://www.oyez.org/cases/1966/395) -
Allan Bakke Case
On this day, Racial quotas in schools saw their end. Allan Bakke, a white Californian, had applied at a medical school multiple times. Due to the 16 percent of student population reserved for minorities, Allan Bakke despite having higher grades, was denied entry. Bakke took the school to court, saying he was suffering reverse discrimination. The court ordered the school to accept Bakke, and do away with it's racial quota. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Bakke-decision)
