Key Events – The Civil Rights Movement 1955-1968 1955
1956
1957
1958
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1954 1 Dec Montgomery Brown vs. board of education – Segregation ruled illegal in education
Boycott continues in Montgomery
Rosa Parks 5 Dec – MIA begins boycott of buses in Montgomery
Little Rock (Arkansas)
20 December Sep 1 Boycott ends – US Supreme Court makes bus segregation illegal.
National Guard prevents students from getting in
4 May 1961
1960
Governor Faubus shuts Little Rock to avoid integration. Re-opens in 1960, with only 3% black students.
US Supreme Court rule that bus segregation on inter-state buses illegal; Includes bus terminals, waiting rooms and even restaurants.
Sep 23 Governor Faubus removes NG.
Sit In’s begin
Students get in. Riots.
Greensboro, North Carolina
Freedom rides begin. Buses are attacked and one is set on fire. Police Commissioner in Alabama gives KKK 15 minutes to deal with freedom riders before going in.
Sep 24 Eisenhower orders in paratroopers. Black students attend school.
SNCC founded Will become “Black Power” movement
1965
1967
Watts race riot
Race riots in the North. The “Poor Peoples Campaign”
34 killed.
1968
1967
1965
1968 - MLK assassinated Riots in 100 American cities
ce 1968 - Black Power salute Mexico Olympics
Freedom Marches begin.
28 August 1963
July 1964 Civil Rights Act
Washington I have a dream speech