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Rosa Parks arrested
Rosa Parks stood up for what she believed, or rather, sat down for what she believed. Park's was an African American who didn't give up her seat to a white man and was arrested for disobeying an Alabama law requiring blacks to give up there seats to whites. -
SCLC is formed
It was an alliance of church-based African American organizations dedicated to ending discrimination. Martin Luther King Jr. was president of the organization, also had a large roll in the Civil Rights Movement -
Brown-vs-Board of Education verdict is handed down
The NAACP became involved with the Case Brown - vs - Board of Education; which challenged segregation in public schools. Rhurgood Marshall argued for Brown. His argument was that segregation lowered self-worth. Not right away did eveyone end segregation, not until 1955 when Supreme Court made are ruling to end it "at a deliberate speed" -
Little Rock Nine able to enter Central High School
The ensuing Little Rock Crisis, in which the students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, and then attended after the intervention of President Eisenhower. -
SNCC is formed
The group staged sit-ins, nonviolent demonstrations and organized African American voters throughout the South in its efforts to expand civil rights. SNCC's leadership and the diligence of its membership made SNCC a vital player in the civil rights movement. -
"Letter from a Birmingham Jail" is written by Martin Luther King Jr.
Was written while Martin Luther King Jr. was in jail. Writing the letter to local religious leaders who had urged him to slow his protesting down. -
I Have A Dream Speech
Written by Martin Luther King Jr., this speech was one of the most memorable speeches in American history. Written to speak of Martin Luther King Jr.'s desire for a future where blacks and whites would coexist harmoniously as equals. To improve rights for all African-Americans and to make laws equal for blacks and whites. -
John F. Kennedy Assassination
JFK was assassinated in Dallas, Texas while campaigning for his next presidential term. Shot by Lee Harvey Oswald -
24th Amendment is passed
The amendment banned the payment of poll taxes as a condition for voting in federal elections. This amendment did not apply to State elections, it only gave hope to civil rights activists. -
Freedom Summer
Freedom Summer was a voter registration drive aimed at dramatically increasing voter registration in Mississippi. The Freedom Summer, comprised of black Mississspians and more than 1,000 out-of-state, predominately white volunteers, faced constant abuse and harrassment from Mississippis white population. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. -
Malcolm X is assassinated
Malcolm X was shot to death by Nation of Islam members while speaking at a rally of his organization in New York City. -
March on Selma
It was the culmination of a fifty-mile procession from Selma. The road from Selma to Montgomery may have been a mere fifty miles, yet the journey had spanned nearly two years of violent opposition. -
Watts Riot
In August 1965, frustration turned to violence. A routine arrest by Los Angeles police in the African American neighborhood of Watts triggered a riot that raged for six days. When the National Guard finally restored order, 34 people had been killed, hundreds injured, and almost 4,000 had been arrested. -
Black Panthers are formed
The Black Panthers believed that the non-violent campaign of Martin Luther King had failed and any promised changes to their lifestyle via the 'traditional' civil rights movement, would take too long to be implemented or simply not introduced. The language of the Black Panthers was violent as was their public stance. The two founders of the Black Panther Party were Huey Percy Newton and Bobby Seale. -
Detroit Riot
Detroit police raided a blind pig on the city's notorious 12th Street and triggered the biggest riot in American history. There were 300 riots between the East coast riots of 1964 and the Detroit riot in July of 1967. Summer after long hot summer, American cities were being put to the torch. One city magically seemed to be getting skipped; Detroit. -
James meredith admitted into the University of Mississipi
James was the first African American admitted into Ole Miss. -
Martin Luther King Jr. is Assassinated
King had been standing on the balcony in front of his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, when, without warning, he was shot. Killed by James Earl Ray