1950s
1950–1959Zoom in — years
Key events
- May 17, 1954Brown v. Board of Education
The Supreme Court strikes down school segregation, igniting the modern Civil Rights movement.
- August 28, 1955The murder of Emmett Till
The lynching of a 14-year-old in Mississippi, and his mother's open casket, galvanizes the movement.
- December 5, 1955The Montgomery Bus Boycott
Sparked by Rosa Parks, a 381-day boycott launches Dr. King and mass nonviolent protest.
- September 4, 1957The Little Rock Nine
Nine students integrate Central High under federal troops as a mob and the governor resist.
- January 10, 1957The SCLC is founded
Dr. King and allies form the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
- November 13, 1956Browder v. Gayle
The Supreme Court affirms that bus segregation is unconstitutional, vindicating the boycott.
- September 9, 1957The Civil Rights Act of 1957
The first federal civil-rights law since Reconstruction, focused on voting.