The civil rights movement of the early 1960s was a pivotal moment in American history. It was a time of great social and political change, as African Americans and their allies fought for equal rights and an end to segregation. Here are some of the major events that took place during this time:
1. Sit-ins: In February 1960, four African American college students staged a sit-in at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. The protest sparked a wave of similar demonstrations across the country, as African Americans and their allies occupied segregated spaces to demand equal treatment.
2. Freedom Rides: In May 1961, a group of activists known as Freedom Riders set out on a bus trip from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans to challenge segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals. The riders faced violent attacks from white supremacists along the way, but their actions helped bring attention to the issue of segregation in public transportation.
3. March on Washington: On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The event featured speeches by civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., and culminated in King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
4. Birmingham Campaign: In the spring of 1963, civil rights activists launched a campaign in Birmingham, Alabama to challenge segregation and discrimination in one of the most racially divided cities in the country. The campaign included sit-ins, boycotts, and other forms of nonviolent protest, but was met with violent resistance from local authorities.
5. Civil Rights Act of 1964: This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment practices and public accommodations. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964.