Research the events in U.S. civil rights history. You may start from the Civil Rights Act and work backwards, or you may select a point in time from which to start and work forward through the development of the Civil Rights movement.

Question

Select eight events that had a significant impact on the advancement of civil rights.
Order those events on a timeline, providing either specific dates or a time frame in which the event happened.
Refer to your research again to write a description of the event that will support its placement on your timeline. You must use at least four different sources in your timeline descriptions. Your description statements should help your reader understand the effect of the event or explain how the event caused other events that led up to the Civil Rights Act.
Provide a parenthetical citation to give credit for direct quotations or paraphrased material used in your descriptions.
Provide a references list to organize the sources that you used in your timeline.

Answer 1

Timeline of Significant Events in U.S. Civil Rights History:

1. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
- This landmark Supreme Court case declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. The ruling overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, paving the way for desegregation in schools. (History.com)

2. Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956)
- The boycott was sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. African Americans boycotted the city's buses for over a year, leading to a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional. This event marked a significant victory in the civil rights movement and brought national attention to the cause. (National Museum of African American History and Culture)

3. Civil Rights Act of 1964 (1964)
- This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination, laying the foundation for equal rights for all citizens. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 marked a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights and paved the way for future legislation. (National Archives)

4. March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963)
- This mass protest event brought together over 250,000 people in Washington, D.C., calling for an end to racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. The highlight of the event was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, which called for racial harmony and equality. The march helped to pressure the government to pass civil rights legislation. (History.com)

5. Voting Rights Act of 1965 (1965)
- This legislation aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. The Voting Rights Act prohibited racial discrimination in voting, leading to a significant increase in African American voter registration and participation. (American Civil Liberties Union)

6. Little Rock Nine (1957)
- The Little Rock Nine were a group of African American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas following the Brown v. Board of Education decision. The students faced violent opposition and resistance from segregationists, leading President Dwight D. Eisenhower to send federal troops to protect them. The Little Rock Nine's bravery and resilience highlighted the ongoing struggle for desegregation in schools. (National Park Service)

7. Selma to Montgomery marches (1965)
- The marches were a series of peaceful protests in Alabama that were organized to demand voting rights for African Americans. The first march, known as "Bloody Sunday," was met with violent police resistance, drawing national attention to the issue. The marches ultimately led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to remove barriers to African American voting. (History.com)

8. Birmingham Campaign (1963)
- The Birmingham Campaign was a nonviolent protest organized by civil rights activists to bring attention to the segregation and racial injustice in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. The campaign included sit-ins, boycotts, and marches, which led to violent clashes with law enforcement. The images of police brutality and violence against peaceful protesters helped to mobilize public support for civil rights legislation. (National Park Service)

References:
- "Brown v. Board of Education." History.com, https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/brown-v-board-of-education-of-topeka.
- "Montgomery Bus Boycott." National Museum of African American History and Culture, https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/blog/montgomery-bus-boycott.
- "The Civil Rights Act of 1964." National Archives, https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2004/summer/civil-rights-act-1964.
- "The Voting Rights Act of 1965." American Civil Liberties Union, https://www.aclu.org/blog/voting-rights/battle-protect-voting-rights/legacy-voting-rights-act-1965.
- "Little Rock Nine." National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/chsc/learn/historyculture/the-little-rock-nine.htm.
- "Bloody Sunday." History.com, https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/bloody-sunday.