May 17, 1954: The Supreme Court Rules on Brown v. Board of Education On this day in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which says that no state may deny equal protection of the laws to any person within its jurisdiction. Although the decision did not succeed in fully desegregating public education in the United States, it put the Constitution on the side of racial equality and galvanized the nascent civil rights movement into a full revolution.Can you name all the key players behind Brown v. Board of Education? Revisit the landmark case with PBS’ The Supreme Court site. You can also learn more about Brown v. Board of Education with “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow” and explore more events of the Civil Rights Movement with PBS Black Culture Connection. Photo: School integration, Barnard School, Washington, D.C., 1955 (Library of Congress).
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May 17, 1954: The Supreme Court Rules on Brown v. Board of Education

On this day in 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which says that no state may deny equal protection of the laws to any person within its jurisdiction.

Although the decision did not succeed in fully desegregating public education in the United States, it put the Constitution on the side of racial equality and galvanized the nascent civil rights movement into a full revolution.

Can you name all the key players behind Brown v. Board of Education? Revisit the landmark case with PBS’ The Supreme Court site.

You can also learn more about Brown v. Board of Education with “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow” and explore more events of the Civil Rights Movement with PBS Black Culture Connection.

Photo: School integration, Barnard School, Washington, D.C., 1955 (Library of Congress).

May 10, 1963: Birmingham Campaign Ends in Victory On this day in 1963, the Birmingham Campaign ended with a victory. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Fred Shuttlesworth signed a truce agreement with local officials to outline a ‘limited desegregation plan,’ which promised to: Remove “White Only” and “Black Only” signs from restrooms and drinking fountains in downtown Birmingham Desegregate lunch counters Deploy a “Negro job improvement plan” Release jailed demonstrators Create a biracial committee to monitor the agreement Desegregation, however, would take place slowly over the next few months. Learn more about the Birmingham Campaign with PBS Black Culture Connection. Photo: Martin Luther King Jr. gives a press conference regarding an agreement reached on a ‘limited desegregation plan’ outside the Gaston Motel in Birmingham, Alabama (Photo by Ernst Haas/Ernst Haas/Getty Images)
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May 10, 1963: Birmingham Campaign Ends in Victory

On this day in 1963, the Birmingham Campaign ended with a victory. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Fred Shuttlesworth signed a truce agreement with local officials to outline a ‘limited desegregation plan,’ which promised to:

  • Remove “White Only” and “Black Only” signs from restrooms and drinking fountains in downtown Birmingham
  • Desegregate lunch counters
  • Deploy a “Negro job improvement plan”
  • Release jailed demonstrators
  • Create a biracial committee to monitor the agreement

Desegregation, however, would take place slowly over the next few months. Learn more about the Birmingham Campaign with PBS Black Culture Connection.

Photo: Martin Luther King Jr. gives a press conference regarding an agreement reached on a ‘limited desegregation plan’ outside the Gaston Motel in Birmingham, Alabama (Photo by Ernst Haas/Ernst Haas/Getty Images)

May 9, 1994: Nelson Mandela is Elected President of South Africa On this day in 1994, South Africa’s parliament elected Nelson Mandela as the country’s next president. The next day, Mandela was inaugurated, becoming the nation’s first black president and a symbol of change in the post-apartheid era.  Nelson Mandela’s election was even more triumphant, as he had spent 27 years in prison for his involvement in the anti-apartheid and anti-colonial movement. While in prison, Mandela had been confined to a small cell with the floor his bed, a bucket for a toilet, and he was forced to do hard labor in a quarry. He was allowed one visitor a year for 30 minutes. He could write and receive one letter every six months. Through his intelligence, charm and dignified defiance, Nelson Mandela eventually bent even the most brutal prison officials to his will, assumed leadership over his jailed comrades and became the master of his own prison. He emerged from it the mature leader who would fight and win the great political battles that would create a new democratic South Africa. Learn more about Nelson Mandela’s time in prison and his early years as a revolutionary with FRONTLINE’s The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela site. Photo: South African National Congress (ANC) President Nelson Mandela gives a clenched fist to supporters upon his arrival for his first election rally on March 15, 1994 (WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images).
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May 9, 1994: Nelson Mandela is Elected President of South Africa

On this day in 1994, South Africa’s parliament elected Nelson Mandela as the country’s next president. The next day, Mandela was inaugurated, becoming the nation’s first black president and a symbol of change in the post-apartheid era. 

Nelson Mandela’s election was even more triumphant, as he had spent 27 years in prison for his involvement in the anti-apartheid and anti-colonial movement. While in prison, Mandela had been confined to a small cell with the floor his bed, a bucket for a toilet, and he was forced to do hard labor in a quarry. He was allowed one visitor a year for 30 minutes. He could write and receive one letter every six months.

Through his intelligence, charm and dignified defiance, Nelson Mandela eventually bent even the most brutal prison officials to his will, assumed leadership over his jailed comrades and became the master of his own prison. He emerged from it the mature leader who would fight and win the great political battles that would create a new democratic South Africa.

Learn more about Nelson Mandela’s time in prison and his early years as a revolutionary with FRONTLINE’s The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela site.

Photo: South African National Congress (ANC) President Nelson Mandela gives a clenched fist to supporters upon his arrival for his first election rally on March 15, 1994 (WALTER DHLADHLA/AFP/Getty Images).

May 2, 1963: The Birmingham Campaign’s Children’s Crusade Begins On this day in 1963, the Children’s Crusade began as hundreds of students walked out of their classrooms to peacefully protest segregation laws in Birmingham, Alabama. They were met by police officers who were ready to escort them to jail, and later by high pressure fire hoses and police dogs. It would become a major catalyst for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and usher a new era of freedom and equality in the United States. Revisit this moment in civil rights history with PBS Black Culture Connection’s Birmingham Campaign collection.  Photo: African American children are attacked by dogs and water cannons during a protest against segregation organized by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth in May 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images).
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May 2, 1963: The Birmingham Campaign’s Children’s Crusade Begins

On this day in 1963, the Children’s Crusade began as hundreds of students walked out of their classrooms to peacefully protest segregation laws in Birmingham, Alabama. They were met by police officers who were ready to escort them to jail, and later by high pressure fire hoses and police dogs.

It would become a major catalyst for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and usher a new era of freedom and equality in the United States.

Revisit this moment in civil rights history with PBS Black Culture Connection’s Birmingham Campaign collection. 

Photo: African American children are attacked by dogs and water cannons during a protest against segregation organized by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth in May 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images).

April 10, 1947: Jackie Robinson Signs with the Brooklyn DodgersOn this day in 1947, Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson was signed to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play for Major League Baseball. He smashed records and knocked down major social barriers on his way to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.  Test your knowledge of Jackie Robinson and his contributions off the field with PBS Black Culture Connection’s Jackie Robinson quiz. Photo Credit: National Baseball Hall of Fame Library, Cooperstown, NY.
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April 10, 1947: Jackie Robinson Signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers

On this day in 1947, Baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson was signed to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play for Major League Baseball. He smashed records and knocked down major social barriers on his way to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.  

Test your knowledge of Jackie Robinson and his contributions off the field with PBS Black Culture Connection’s Jackie Robinson quiz.

Photo Credit: National Baseball Hall of Fame Library, Cooperstown, NY.

April 3, 1968: MLK is Assassinated  On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story motel room in Memphis, TN.  “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” - Martin Luther King Jr.  Revisit the life and legacy of Dr. King with this special collection from PBS.  Image (from top to bottom): Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., Martin Luther King Jr. Sign (National Park Service)  
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April 3, 1968: MLK is Assassinated  On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story motel room in Memphis, TN.  “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” - Martin Luther King Jr.  Revisit the life and legacy of Dr. King with this special collection from PBS.  Image (from top to bottom): Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., Martin Luther King Jr. Sign (National Park Service)  
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April 3, 1968: MLK is Assassinated 

On this day in 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story motel room in Memphis, TN. 

“Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” - Martin Luther King Jr. 

Revisit the life and legacy of Dr. King with this special collection from PBS. 

Image (from top to bottom): Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., Martin Luther King Jr. Sign (National Park Service)  

March 21, 1965: Civil Rights Demonstrators Begin March to Montgomery, Alabama On this day in 1965, two weeks after “Bloody Sunday,” civil rights demonstrators began their third attempt to march to Montgomery, Alabama from Selma. The march’s purpose was to denounce unfair state laws and local violence that kept African Americans from voting. On March 25, 25,000 marchers arrive at the State Capitol building in Montgomery. Soon afterward, the U.S. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, forcing states to end discriminatory voting practices.Visit American Experience’s Eyes on the Prize site to explore the milestones of the Civil Rights Movement. Photo: Participants marching in the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. (Library of Congress)
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March 21, 1965: Civil Rights Demonstrators Begin March to Montgomery, Alabama

On this day in 1965, two weeks after “Bloody Sunday,” civil rights demonstrators began their third attempt to march to Montgomery, Alabama from Selma. The march’s purpose was to denounce unfair state laws and local violence that kept African Americans from voting.

On March 25, 25,000 marchers arrive at the State Capitol building in Montgomery. Soon afterward, the U.S. Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, forcing states to end discriminatory voting practices.

Visit American Experience’s Eyes on the Prize site to explore the milestones of the Civil Rights Movement.

Photo: Participants marching in the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. (Library of Congress)

pbsthisdayinhistory: MARCH 7, 1965: SELMA’S “BLOODY SUNDAY” On this day in 1965, demonstrators started a 54-mile march in Selma, Alabama in response to an activist’s murder. They were protesting his death and the unfair state laws and local violence that keep African Americans from voting. Led by SNCC activists John Lewis and Hosea Williams, about 525 peaceful marchers were violently assaulted by state police near the Edmund Pettus Bridge outside Selma. Television networks broadcasted the attacks of “Bloody Sunday” nationwide, creating outrage at the police, and sympathy for the marchers. For more, check out PBS’ archival site for the award-winning series Eyes on the Prize. Photo: Aerial view of marchers crossing the Edmund-Pettus Bridge during the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, NYWT&S Collection)
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pbsthisdayinhistory:

MARCH 7, 1965: SELMA’S “BLOODY SUNDAY”

On this day in 1965, demonstrators started a 54-mile march in Selma, Alabama in response to an activist’s murder. They were protesting his death and the unfair state laws and local violence that keep African Americans from voting.

Led by SNCC activists John Lewis and Hosea Williams, about 525 peaceful marchers were violently assaulted by state police near the Edmund Pettus Bridge outside Selma.

Television networks broadcasted the attacks of “Bloody Sunday” nationwide, creating outrage at the police, and sympathy for the marchers.

For more, check out PBS’ archival site for the award-winning series Eyes on the Prize.

Photo:
Aerial view of marchers crossing the Edmund-Pettus Bridge during the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

(Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, NYWT&S Collection)

(via pbstv)

Source: pbs.org

February 1964: House of Representatives Passes Civil Rights Act This week in 1964, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed all major forms of discrimination in the U.S. passed the House of Representatives: The Civil Rights Act of 1964. It would go on to pass the Senate in June and was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964.  
 Test your knowledge about some of the defining moments and events that led up to this civil rights victory with a quiz:  The Year 1963. Image: The Civil Rights Act of 1964. What’s in it: Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, 1964. Pamphlet. (NAACP Records, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress)
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February 1964: House of Representatives Passes Civil Rights Act

This week in 1964, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed all major forms of discrimination in the U.S. passed the House of Representatives: The Civil Rights Act of 1964. It would go on to pass the Senate in June and was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964.  


Test your knowledge about some of the defining moments and events that led up to this civil rights victory with a quiz:  The Year 1963.

Image: The Civil Rights Act of 1964. What’s in it: Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, 1964. Pamphlet. (NAACP Records, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress)

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