Civil rights timeline- Nathan Jeong by Nathan Jeong (CH)

1857: Dred Scott v. Sandford

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:00:40 UTC

In 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision declares that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be American citizens and therefore had no standing to sue in federal court- a severe blow to civil rights.

1865: 13th Amendment Ratification

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:07:41 UTC

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, abolishing slavery throughout the United States. This pivotal moment marked a significant step towards civil rights, signaling the end of legally sanctioned slavery.

1868: 14th Amendment Ratification

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:07:57 UTC

The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and ensures equal protection under the laws. It plays a critical role in civil rights by laying the foundational principle of equality.

1870: 15th Amendment Ratification

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:08:07 UTC

The 15th Amendment prohibits the government from denying a citizen's vote based on that person's race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It symbolizes a monumental stride towards racial equality in voting rights.

1896: Plessy v. Farragut

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:08:13 UTC

In Plessy v. Ferguson, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine. This decision cements de jure segregation in the United States for the next seven decades.

1920: 19th Amendment Ratification

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:08:23 UTC

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, granting women the right to vote. This major victory for the women's suffrage movement marks a significant leap forward in gender equality and civil rights.

1954: Brown v. Board of Education

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:08:32 UTC

The U.S. Supreme Court declares state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. Brown v. Board of Education marks the dawn of desegregation in education and sets the stage for the civil rights movement.

De jure Segregation

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:08:41 UTC

De jure segregation is the legal separation of people based on racial or ethnic differences, enforced by law. This form of segregation was common in the United States until the mid-20th century. De jure segregation was officially abolished with landmark Supreme Court decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

1957: Little Rock Central High School Integration

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:08:57 UTC

In 1957, Little Rock Central High becomes a battleground for civil rights as nine African American students, known as the 'Little Rock Nine,' face violent opposition in their attempt to integrate the school.

1960: Greensboro Sit-Ins

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:09:05 UTC

Four black college students sat at a whites-only lunch counter in Greensboro, NC, sparking a sit-in movement that became a crucial strategy in the struggle for civil rights and equal treatment in public spaces.

1963: March on Washington

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:09:12 UTC

This massive rally for jobs and freedom culminated in Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic 'I Have a Dream' speech, a defining moment in the civil rights movement advocating for the end of racism and for civil and economic rights.

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:09:20 UTC

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is signed into law, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It represents a landmark victory for the civil rights movement, ensuring equal access to public spaces and employment.

1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:09:28 UTC

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 eliminates racial discrimination in voting practices by prohibiting literacy tests and other discriminatory voting practices. This act significantly bolsters voting rights for African Americans in the Southern United States.

1973: Roe v. Wade

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:09:39 UTC

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade legalizes abortion nationwide, thus affirming women's rights under the principle of privacy. This controversial ruling is a critical advancement in women's civil rights.

1978: Bakke v. Regents of the University of California

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:09:47 UTC

In Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds affirmative action, allowing race to be one of several factors in college admission policies. This decision reaffirms the commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in education.

Jim Crow Laws

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:10:08 UTC

Jim Crow laws, enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, enforce racial segregation and discriminate against African Americans in the Southern United States, symbolizing a dark era of enforced racial inequality.

De facto Segregation

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:10:13 UTC

De facto segregation refers to racial separation that occurs without legal enforcement, often manifesting through social, economic, and residential patterns. It remains a pervasive challenge in the fight for equal rights. Overtime, it developed gradually as a result of various social, economic, and political factors. However, it became particularly pronounced during the mid-20th century, following the decline of Jim Crow laws and the civil rights movement.

2014: Affirmative Action

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:10:19 UTC

Affirmative action policies are implemented to correct the historical and present injustices by giving preference to marginalized groups in areas such as employment and education, sparking ongoing debates around equity and equality. The Supreme Court case Schuette v. Coalition, defending Affirmative Action upheld Michigan's ban on affirmative action in public university admissions, allowing states to prohibit the use of race in admissions decisions.

2015: Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:10:25 UTC

In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court declared that the right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, marking a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights.

1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott

2256792 — 2024-03-07 04:14:47 UTC

The Montgomery Bus Boycott, sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white person in 1955, was a pivotal event in the American Civil Rights Movement. Lasting for over a year, African Americans boycotted the segregated bus system in Montgomery, Alabama, demanding an end to racial segregation on public transportation. The boycott ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling in 1956 (Browder v. Gayle), declaring segregation on public buses unconstitutional, marking a significant milestone in the fight against racial discrimination and influencing subsequent civil rights legislation.