Civil Rights Timeline (1896-2020)

Disclaimer: This blog post was written by a guest writer named Mason Brown. If you want to see the original post, click here!

Pre-Civil Rights Era (1896-1930s)

1896

Plessy vs Ferguson established the “separate but equal laws” which legalized racial segregation.

1909

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded, which will later play a key role in the civil rights movement.

1915

In this year, the resurgence of certain white supremist hate groups, targets civil rights activities and African Americans.

1930s

The Great Migration has millions of African Americans move from the south up to the north and west to seek better opportunities.

Early Resistance and Legal Milestones (1940s-1950s)

1941

A. Philip Randolph threatened a march on Washington to protest, which leads President Roosevelt to issue an order banning discrimination in wartime defense jobs.

1944

Smith v. Allwright decision outlaws the “white primary” which disenfranchised African American voters in Southern states.

1950

Sweatt v. Painter supreme court cases forces integration in a Texas law school. A significant victory for African American rights in education.

1954

Brown v. Board of Education rules that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson and beginning the dismantling of Jim Crow laws.

The Height of the Civil Rights Movement (1955-1965)

1955

The Montgomery Bus Boycott begins after Rosa Parks is arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man, this lasts over a year and results in the desegregation of Montgomery's bus system.

1957

The Little Rock Nine attempt to integrate into Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Federal troops are sent to enforce desegregation.

1960

Four black college students in Greensboro, North Carolina begin sitting at a segregated lunch counter, sparking nationwide protests and sit in.

see: Greensboro sit-ins

1961

The Freedom Rides organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) challenge segregated bus terminals in the south. Activists face violent resistance but bring national attention to the issue of segregation in interstate travel.

1963

The Birmingham campaign: MLK and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) organize protests against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, leading to police violence and national outrage.

March on Washington: Over 250000 people march in Washington DC, this is where MLK delivered his iconic “I have a dream” speech for racial equality and economic justice.

16th Street Baptist Church Bombing: four young black girls are killed in a racist bombing in Birmingham, this sparks outrage and further fuels the civil rights movement.

1964

Civil Rights Act of 1964 is passed which outlaws discriminations based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

1965

The Selma to Montgomery Marches begin in response to the killing of Jimme Lee Jackson, activist march from Selma to Montgomery demanding voting rights. The violence faced on “Bloody Sunday” leads to higher support for the voting rights act.

The Expansion and Shift of the Movement (1966-1970)

1966

Black Panther Party is founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, which advocates for black power, self-defense, and social programs

1967

MLK begins speaking against the Vietnam War, linking racism, poverty, and militarism in his speech “Beyond Vietnam”

1968

The Poor People's Campaign a multiracial coalition that demands economic justice for the poor culminates when MLK is assassinated on April 4th, 1968, in Memphis Tennessee.

The Kerner Commission Report is released, it highlights racial inequality in the U.S and warns that Americans are becoming “two societies, one Black, and One white. separate and unequal.

The Fair Housing Act is passed, which prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, or national origin.

Shifting Political and Social Landscape (1970s-1980s)

1971

The supreme court mandates busing to try and desegregate public schools, this is meant with both support and resistance, mainly in northern cities.

1978

The Bakke decision rules that racial quotas in college admissions are unconstitutional but upholds affirmative actions as a tool for the promotion of diversity.

1980s

The rise of conservative political movements challenged civil rights laws, with a focus on “color-blind” policies and the rollback of affirmative action.

The Modern civil rights struggle (1990s-early 200s)

1991

The beating of Rodney King by LAPD officers is caught on video, leading to nationwide protests.

1992

The Los Angeles Riots break out in response to the beating of Rodney King.

1996

The Welfare Reform Act significantly changes the U.S welfare system which critics argue disproportionately harms African American Communities.

2008

The election of Barack Obama as the first black United States President, is a major milestone in racial progress, although debates about race and inequality still continue.

Present Movements and Ongoing Struggles (2010s-present)

2010

Black Lives Matter (BLM) is founded after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. BLM becomes a global movement that advocated for justice for victims of police violence and systemic racism.

2014

The deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner in New York City spark massive protests for police reform and accountability.

2020

The Murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer leads to widespread protests in the U.S and around the world. The BLM movement gains significant traction, leading to discussions about defunding the police and addressing systemic racism in all aspects of society.

Conclusion

The Civil Rights Movement has been a long and challenging journey, marked by periods of intense struggle and remarkable triumphs. From the early resistance during the pre-Civil Rights era to the ongoing efforts of movements like Black Lives Matter today, we can trace a legacy of resilience, courage, and hope. While significant milestones such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the election of Barack Obama have showcased how far we’ve come, the fight is far from over. Discrimination, inequality, and systemic racism still persist, and the battles for racial justice continue on every front. It is crucial that we recognize the efforts of those who paved the way before us, while also supporting those who are leading the charge today. The Civil Rights Movement is not just a chapter in history—it is a living, ongoing struggle that demands our attention, commitment, and action.