Civil Rights Timeline by 2026John Colangelo

End of Civil War (April 9, 1865)

9961179 — 2024-03-04 17:30:14 UTC

As the Civil War ended, the Southern States had to reconstruct government and society. The political and social rights of the millions of newly freed Americans would become an important part of the post-war period.

13th Amendment (1865)

9961179 — 2024-03-04 17:30:47 UTC

The 13th amendment abolished slavery in the United States. However Black Americans still experienced a large amount of dehumanization and discrimination.

14th Amendment (1866-1868)

9961179 — 2024-03-04 17:31:02 UTC

Passed by Congress June 13, 1866, and ratified July 9, 1868. This amendment gave African Americans the same rights as all citizens of America.

15th Amendment (1869-1870)

9961179 — 2024-03-04 17:31:18 UTC

Passed by Congress February 26, 1869, and ratified February 3, 1870. This Amendment gave African American men the right to vote. No state could deny this right.

Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Law (2022)

9961179 — 2024-03-06 17:37:45 UTC

This law defines lynching as a hate crime and gives specific penalties for lynching under federal law. This took years of being denied to finally get passed.

Emmett Till's Funeral (1955)

9961179 — 2024-03-06 17:42:50 UTC

Young Emmett Till was brutally murdered by two white men. Tens of Thousand of people came to Emmett's funeral. It was the unofficial start of the Civil Rights movement. Sparking the rise of Black and White Americans to stand up against racism.

Brown vs Board of Education (1952)

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:31:57 UTC

NAACP brought the case of black only schools and white only schools to the supreme court. There they stated that the equality written in the constitution was not being practiced.

Little Rock 9 (September 1957)

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:32:11 UTC

Ella Baker helped 9 young Black students integrate into a White School. At this school the children were met with harassment and violence. Luckily the media documented this and showed the violence laid upon these innocent kids. The National Guard was then sent to escort the kids to school.

Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:32:34 UTC

Black Americans boycotted buses to protest the segregation of Black and White people on public transportation. This movement was inspired by Rosa Parks. They were successful in their boycott.

Greensboro Sit-ins (February 1960)

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:33:27 UTC

A small group of Young Black Americans decided top sit at a White only counter in a restaurant. They were faced with harassment and violence but reframed from violence themselves. This movement inspired others to protest through sit-ins.

The Freedom Rides (May 1961)

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:34:22 UTC

These Freedom Rides were organized to bring Black and White people on the same bus and have them travel throughout a large part of the United States (heading south). The further South the got the more violence they experienced, eventually having their bus destroyed.

Children's Crusade (May 1963)

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:34:40 UTC

More the 1,500 kids left school to join in a non-violent protest. They were met with violence and sent to jail. During this brutality the media captured the violence being place upon these children and showed the U.S. the horrors taking place. This event helped convince JFK to support Civil Rights legislation

The March on Washington (August 28, 1963)

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:34:56 UTC

An organized, non-violent march on Washington D.C. where Black Americans went to protest for their rights. At this gathering MLK gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech.

Selma Voting Rights Campaign (1964-1965)

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:35:51 UTC

A planned march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama, protesting African American's right to vote. This movement was completely non-violent despite the violence that they received.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:36:12 UTC

Originally sent to Congress by JFK and signed by LBJ, this bill prevented the discrimination of all individuals. It brought public accommodations and federally funded programs.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

9961179 — 2024-03-27 16:36:53 UTC

LBJ signed this act to secure the protection of Black Americans right to vote. Allowing the access to jury duty and their opinions to be heard.

Assassination of Malcolm X (February 21, 1965)

9961179 — 2024-04-04 01:29:04 UTC

He was assassinated while preparing to deliver a speech addressing the organization of Afro-Unity. In the media, his death was reported to have been something to do with his political struggle with the Nation of Islam. But, it is very possible that the FBI was involved in his assassination, considering they were keeping tabs on him 24/7.

Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968)

9961179 — 2024-04-04 01:36:02 UTC

MLK was assassinated while on his balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis Tennessee. He was there to support a protest against poverty and poor working conditions, it was the he gave his "I've been to the mountain top" speech.

Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (June 5, 1968).

9961179 — 2024-04-04 01:38:21 UTC

Robert Kennedy was assassinated during a speech he was giving addressing his supporters. This was after he won the California Primary