The civil rights movement was a social movement in the United States from 1954 to 1968 which aimed to abolish legalized racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement in the country, which most commonly affected African Americans. The movement had origins in the Reconstruction era in the late 19th century, and modern roots in the 1940s. After years of nonviolent protests and civil disobedience campaigns, the civil rights movement achieved many of its legislative goals in the 1960s, during which it secured new protections in federal law for the civil rights of all Americans, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
1st civil rights sit-in, at Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina; four Black students - Joseph McNeil, Franklin McC
1st civil rights sit-in, at Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina; four Black students - Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, David Richmond, and Ezell Blair Jr. - spend the day waitng to be served at the segregated lunch counter in a peaceful protest
Historical Significance
The civil rights movement was a social movement in the United States from 1954 to 1968 which aimed to abolish legalized racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement in the country, which most commonly affected African Americans.
Events Before
Johnny Cash performs the first of many free concerts behind bars at San Quentin State Prison in California
Johnny Cash performs the first of many free concerts behind bars at San Quentin State Prison in California
Chad becomes an autonomous republic in the French Community
The French Community (French: Communauté française) was the constitutional organization set up in October 1958 between France and its remaining African colonies, then in the process of…
USSR's Luna 1 becomes the first spacecraft to escape Earth's gravity
A gravity assist, gravity assist maneuver, swing-by, or generally a gravitational slingshot in orbital mechanics, is a type of spaceflight flyby which makes use of the relative movement (e.g.
TV western "Rawhide," starring Clint Eastwood, premieres on CBS
TV western "Rawhide," starring Clint Eastwood, premieres on CBS
Plane crash known as "The Day the Music Died" kills musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J. P. Richardson (aka The Big
Plane crash known as "The Day the Music Died" kills musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, J. P. Richardson (aka The Big Bopper), and the pilot near Clear Lake, Iowa
Events After
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Longest recorded strike ends as Danish barbers' assistants end their 33-year strike
Longest recorded strike ends as Danish barbers' assistants end their 33-year strike
Berry Gordy signs The Supremes to Motown Records
The Supremes were an American girl group formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959 as the Primettes.
First live, nationally televised presidential news conference, held by JFK
First live, nationally televised presidential news conference, held by JFK
"I Fall to Pieces" single released by Patsy Cline (Billboard Song of the Year 1961)
"I Fall to Pieces" is a song written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard that was originally recorded by Patsy Cline.
More from the 1960s
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
NASA's Apollo 11 mission successfully lands the first humans on the Moon. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first people to walk on the lunar surface.
space exploration
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech
Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, calling for an end to racism in the United States.
civil rightspolitics government
birth
Tommy Morrison is born
Tommy Morrison, American professional boxer, known for american boxer, was born on 1969-01-02.
birth
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Gabrielle Carteris is born
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on February 1, 1960?
- The civil rights movement was a social movement in the United States from 1954 to 1968 which aimed to abolish legalized racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement in the country, which most commonly affected African Americans. The movement had origins in the Reconstruction era in the late 19th century, and modern roots in the 1940s. After years of nonviolent protests and civil disobedience campaigns, the civil rights movement achieved many of its legislative goals in the 1960s, during which it secured new protections in federal law for the civil rights of all Americans, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Why is 1st civil rights sit-in, at Woolworth's in Greensboro, North Carolina; four B... significant?
- The civil rights movement was a social movement in the United States from 1954 to 1968 which aimed to abolish legalized racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement in the country, which most commonly affected African Americans.