Executive Order 9981 is signed by President Harry Truman. This puts an end to segregation int he military.

July 26, 1948

Brown v. Board of Education rules that public schools will no longer be segregated. It is important to note that many schools still were segregated.

May 17, 1954

In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refuses to give her bus seat to a white man.

December 1, 1955

January 10 and 11, 1957

Nonviolent protests are orchestrated in Atlanta, Georgia but sixty black pastors and civil rights leaders. Among these leaders was Martin Luther King Jr.

September 4, 1957

In Little Rock, Arkansas, nine black students are blocked from entering into Central High School. President Eisenhower sends troops to escort the students into the school.

September 9, 1957

President Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1957. This is meant to help with the protection of voter rights.

In Greensboro, North Carolina, four college students refuse to leave a diner, despite a "whites only" sign.

February 1, 1960

At the University of Alabama, Gov. Wallace attempts to prevent two black students from registering for classes. Eventually, President John F. Kennedy has the National Guard sent to the campus.

June 11, 1963

August 28, 1963

The famous March on Washington takes place. This includes about 250,000 people. Martin Luther King Jr. gives his famous "I have a dream" speech.