Key Events in Civil Rights History

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1865: Slavery abolished

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The 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery in the US. Legally ended slavery, but systemic racism persisted.

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1868: Equal rights

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The 14th Amendment granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. Established legal equality, but was undermined by segregation laws.

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1896: Plessy v. Ferguson

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The Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation was legal under the “separate but equal” doctrine. Legitimized segregation and Jim Crow laws.

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1954: Brown v. Board of Education

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Supreme Court decision that rules school segregation unconstitutional. Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and fueled the civil rights movement.

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1957: Little Rock Nine

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Nine Black students attempted to integrate Little Rock Central High School but also faced violent opposition. Federal intervention signaled government support for desegregation.

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1960: Sit-ins begin

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Black students in Greensboro, NC, staged sit-ins at segregated lunch counters. Inspired nationwide sit-ins and activism.

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1964: Civil Rights Act

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Banned segregation in public places and workplace discrimination. Landmark law that dismantled legal segregation.

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Jim Crow Laws

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Laws that tried to prevent Black people from getting a good life, and segregated them from white people. Legally upheld discrimination and disenfranchisement of Black Americans.

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NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)

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Legal organization fighting for Black civil rights through court cases. Played a key role in victories like Brown v. Board of Education.

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SCLC

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MLK’s organization that coordinated nonviolent protests in the South. Organized marches, sit-ins, and boycotts to challenge segregation.