The Civil Rights Movement was one of the most significant struggles for justice and equality in American history. Spanning several decades, it sought to end racial segregation, discrimination, and systemic oppression faced by African Americans.
Through legal challenges, grassroots activism, nonviolent protests, and acts of civil disobedience, the movement dismantled barriers that had long upheld racial inequality.
From early court victories to large-scale demonstrations like the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, civil rights activists challenged unjust laws and pushed for transformative change.
Landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, reshaped American society by securing protections against racial discrimination.
This timeline highlights the key events, leaders, and turning points that defined the movement and continue to inspire the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
| 1909 | NAACP Founded: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is established to fight racial discrimination. |
| 1941 | March on Washington Movement: A. Philip Randolph pressures President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802, banning discrimination in defense industries. |
| 1947 | Jackie Robinson Integrates Baseball: Becomes the first African American to play Major League Baseball. |
| 1948 | Truman Desegregates the Military: Executive Order 9981 ends racial segregation in the U.S. armed forces. |
| 1950 | Sweatt v. Painter: Supreme Court rules that segregated law schools are unconstitutional. |
| 1954 | Brown v. Board of Education: Supreme Court declares racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. |
| 1955 | Emmett Till’s Murder: The brutal lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi shocks the nation. |
| December 1, 1955 | Rosa Parks and Montgomery Bus Boycott: Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking a 381-day boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
| 1956 | Montgomery Bus Boycott Victory: Supreme Court rules segregation on buses unconstitutional. |
| 1957 | Little Rock Nine: Federal troops enforce school desegregation in Arkansas after violent resistance. |
| 1960 | Greensboro Sit-ins: Four Black college students protest segregated lunch counters in North Carolina, sparking nationwide sit-ins. |
| 1961 | Freedom Rides: Black and white activists ride buses to challenge segregation in interstate travel. |
| 1962 | James Meredith Integrates the University of Mississippi: Requires federal protection after riots. |
| April 16, 1963 | MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”: Defends nonviolent resistance to racism. |
| August 28, 1963 | March on Washington & “I Have a Dream” Speech: Over 250,000 people gather at the Lincoln Memorial. |
| 1964 | Civil Rights Act Passed: Bans segregation and discrimination in public places. |
| 1965 | Bloody Sunday (Selma March): Peaceful marchers are brutally attacked on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. |
| August 6, 1965 | Voting Rights Act Passed: Eliminates literacy tests and other voter suppression tactics. |
| 1966 | Black Panther Party Founded: Advocates for self-defense and community empowerment. |
| 1967 | Loving v. Virginia: Supreme Court strikes down laws banning interracial marriage. |
| April 4, 1968 | Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. |
| 1968 | Fair Housing Act Passed: Bans racial discrimination in housing. |
Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement
1909 – NAACP Founded
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is established to fight racial discrimination.
Also Read: Civil Rights Movement Accomplishments
The organization is dedicated to securing equal rights, eliminating racial hatred, and ensuring the political, educational, and social rights of all citizens. It becomes one of the most influential civil rights organizations in American history.
1941 – March on Washington Movement
A. Philip Randolph, a prominent civil rights leader, organizes the March on Washington Movement to protest racial discrimination in the defense industry and the military.
Also Read: Timeline of American History
As a result, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issues Executive Order 8802, which bans racial discrimination in defense industries and establishes the Fair Employment Practices Committee.
1947 – Jackie Robinson Integrates Baseball
Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to play Major League Baseball when he joins the Brooklyn Dodgers. His entry into professional baseball challenges racial segregation in sports and paves the way for future Black athletes.
1948 – Truman Desegregates the Military
President Harry Truman issues Executive Order 9981, officially ending racial segregation in the U.S. armed forces. This landmark decision sets a precedent for future desegregation efforts in American society.
1950 – Sweatt v. Painter
The Supreme Court rules that racially segregated law schools violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision weakens the legal basis for segregation and lays the groundwork for future rulings against racial discrimination in education.
1954 – Brown v. Board of Education
The U.S. Supreme Court delivers a unanimous decision declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This ruling overturns the “separate but equal” doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson and becomes a major victory for the civil rights movement.
1955 – Emmett Till’s Murder
Fourteen-year-old Emmett Till is brutally lynched in Mississippi after being falsely accused of offending a white woman. His murder and the subsequent acquittal of his killers spark national outrage and become a catalyst for the civil rights movement.
December 1, 1955 – Rosa Parks and Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest sparks a 381-day boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., ultimately leading to a Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses is unconstitutional.
1956 – Montgomery Bus Boycott Victory
The Supreme Court rules that bus segregation laws in Montgomery, Alabama, are unconstitutional. This decision ends the Montgomery Bus Boycott and marks a significant step toward dismantling segregation in public transportation.
1957 – Little Rock Nine
Nine Black students attempt to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Facing violent opposition, they require federal protection from President Dwight Eisenhower, who sends the National Guard to enforce desegregation.
1960 – Greensboro Sit-ins
Four Black college students in Greensboro, North Carolina, sit at a whites-only lunch counter and refuse to leave. Their peaceful protest sparks a nationwide sit-in movement, challenging segregation in public places and leading to desegregation in many establishments.
1961 – Freedom Rides
Black and white activists ride buses together across Southern states to challenge segregation in interstate travel. They face violent attacks, but their efforts lead to the enforcement of Supreme Court rulings that prohibit segregation in public transportation.
1962 – James Meredith Integrates the University of Mississippi
James Meredith becomes the first Black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. His admission sparks riots, and federal troops are sent to protect him, highlighting the resistance to desegregation in the South.
April 16, 1963 – MLK’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. writes a powerful letter from jail defending nonviolent resistance to racism. His words inspire civil rights activists and reinforce the importance of direct action in the fight for justice.
August 28, 1963 – March on Washington & “I Have a Dream” Speech
Over 250,000 people gather at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to demand civil rights legislation. Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, calling for racial equality and an end to discrimination.
1964 – Civil Rights Act Passed
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is signed into law, banning segregation and discrimination in public places, schools, and employment. It is one of the most significant legislative achievements of the civil rights movement.
1965 – Bloody Sunday (Selma March)
Peaceful demonstrators marching for voting rights are brutally attacked by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The violent response, captured on television, outrages the nation and increases support for voting rights legislation.
August 6, 1965 – Voting Rights Act Passed
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act into law, eliminating literacy tests and other barriers that have long been used to suppress Black voters in the South. This act significantly increases voter registration and political participation among African Americans.
1966 – Black Panther Party Founded
The Black Panther Party is established by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. The group advocates for self-defense, community empowerment, and social justice, challenging police brutality and economic inequality.
1967 – Loving v. Virginia
The Supreme Court strikes down laws banning interracial marriage in the case of Loving v. Virginia. This ruling ensures that marriage is recognized as a fundamental right regardless of race.
April 4, 1968 – Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting striking sanitation workers. His death leads to nationwide riots and mourning, reinforcing his legacy as a leader in the fight for civil rights.
1968 – Fair Housing Act Passed
The Fair Housing Act is signed into law, prohibiting racial discrimination in housing and real estate practices. This legislation aims to address systemic segregation and ensure equal housing opportunities for all.