Civil Rights Movement
Connor Coker December 3-4, 2015
March on Washington
On August 28, 1963, over 200,000 blacks and whites gathered in Washington DC. This is one of the most famous movements of the time, as it included Martin Luther King Jr's. famous "I Have A Dream" speech. Standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, M.L.K. delivered a powerful speech that truly embodied what the movement was all about.
Little Rock Nine
A group of 9 Black students who enrolled at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. President Eisenhower sent the National Guard in to help make this enrollment peaceful, as Arkansas's Governor tried to prohibit the enrollment. Governor Faubus responded by closing the schools for the 1958-1959 school year.
Greensboro Four
On February 1, 1960 4 black students from NC A&T walked up to the "Whites Only" Woolworth counter in Greensboro, NC and tried to order cup of coffee. They were ultimately refused service and began a peaceful sit-in. The movement quickly spread across the Southeast and ended on July 26, 1960.
Not In Schools
In 1954 "The Case of Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka" was laid before the Supreme Court. The ruling came 58 years after "Plessy vs Ferguson" which ruled that as long as blacks and whites had equal facilities that could be seperated. The Supreme Court over turned this in 1954, stating that segregation of schools are by nature unequal.
Walk Instead of Ride
Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus to a white person. Blacks in Montgomery supported the Boycott and after 381 days the Boycott ended.
Fight Together, Die Together
On July 26,1948 President Truman signed the law to desegregate the military. It stated that there would be no discrimination in the armed forces and on the battle field.
Rides for Freedom
Freedom Rides were rides organized by Civil Rights Activists to test the bus segregation policy in the South. Throughout 1961, Blacks tested the bus policies of segregation by loading up and going from city depot to city depot throughout the South. They ultimately won their battle on November 1 1961 when President Kennedy ordered the Interstate Commerce Commission to release a new desegregation order.
All Is Well That Ends Well?
In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was signed by President Lyndon B Johnson. The act banned discrimination based on "race, color, religion, sex, or national origin", in employment opportunities, public places, and many other walks of life.
5 Most Important Events
1. March on Washington- 200,000 people walked on the National Mall. Martin Luther King Jr. had his famous "I Have A Dream" Speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
2. Montgomery Bus Boycott - For 381 days Blacks refused to ride buses in Montgomery, Alabama after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus.
3. Little Rock Nine-In 1957 the Little Rock Nine broke the color barrier at Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. National Guard was sent in to control possible violence
4. Brown vs Board of Education- In 1954, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling of Plessy vs Ferguson and says that segregation of public schools is unconstitutional.
5. Civil Rights Act of 1964- Ends the "Separate but Equal" ruling from Plessy vs Ferguson in 1896. Prohibits segregation in public places and prevents discrimination based on race, color, nationality, etc.
Why I Chose the Civil Rights Movement
I chose the Civil Rights Movement, because we are dealing with the same type of stuff today. With the Black Lives Matter movement sweeping across the nation, Blacks feel they are still discriminated against. Many of the events that spark this movement are between Whites and Blacks, especially a White cop killing a Black person. They are fighting for the "same type" of equality now when in reality their argument now is absolutely absurd compared to the Civil Rights Movement in the 50's and 60's. The original movement was for a valid cause, while today's movement is more of selfishness and desired supremacy.