African-American Civil Rights Movement Timeline "Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. It is a weapon unique in history, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Simple Timeline of Events May 17th, 1954 Dec. 1st, 1955 Feb. 1st, 1960 May 4th, 1961 Aug. 28th, 1963 Sep. 15th, 1963 Brown v. Board of Ed Bus Boycotts Greensboro Sit-ins First Freedom Rides March on Washington Birmingham Bombing

Brown v The Board of Education Topeka, Kansas Courts declared that “separate but equal” schools were unconstitutional. 14th Amendment provides for “equal protection under the law”

Brown v The Board of Education Psychologists (Clarks) found that separate schooling was damaging. Desegregation was not welcomed by all. National Guard had to get involved. Opened gates for other ethnicities to be desegregated also.

Montgomery Bus Boycotts Dec. 1st, 1955 Montgomery, Alabama Rosa Parks was arrested for sitting in the “Whites Only” section of the bus. African-Americans and their allies reacted by refusing to use the city bus system.

Montgomery Bus Boycotts Campaign lasted for 1 year and 20 days, until the laws were overturned. People walked, biked, and supported each other. The cities involved in the boycott lost a large amount of money in bus fare.

Greensboro Sit-ins Feb. 1st, 1960 – Greensboro, North Carolina Lunch counters were segregated. African-Americans were not allowed to be served food at “White’s Only” counters. 4 young African-American men sat at the counter waiting to be served until closing.

Greensboro Sit-ins The next day it was 20 people. By the end of the 4th day there were over 300 people at the counter. Woolsworth’s refused to serve them. The movement spread to other areas of the South. July 25th, 1960 African Americans were served at “White’s Only” counters and all of the chains were desegregated.

Freedom Rides May 4th, 1961 Began in Washington D.C. The Supreme Court had ruled that segregated buses were unconstitutional. The Freedom Riders set out to test this.

Freedom Rides Most of the trip was peaceful. The group met with violence once they got to Alabama. Buses were burned and riders were arrested. The National Guard escorted the buses for the duration.

March on Washington Aug. 28th, 1963 Washington, D.C. Large political rally. Between 200,000 and 300,000 participants Marked the 100th year of the Emancipation Proclamation

March on Washington Marched from Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial Many speeches and musical performances Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech was given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Credited as the reason behind the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Birmingham Church Bombing Sep. 15th, 1963 Birmingham, Alabama Turning point in the Civil Rights Movement Bombed by KKK members 4 young girls were murdered in the bombing.

Birmingham Church Bombing The victims were: Addie (14), Denise (11), Carole (14), and Cynthia (14). More than 8,000 mourners attended the funeral services No city leaders attended. The case remained unsolved for several years. President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law in July of 1964.