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Student Article

Five Key Events That Changed the U.S. Civil Rights Movement

By: Rhiannon Davies
Originally Published in  HistoryExtra

Discover five powerful moments that helped shape the civil rights movement in the United States, from Emmett Till’s murder to the March on Washington.

The article "Five Key Events That Changed the U.S. Civil Rights Movement" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores five defining moments that shaped the fight for racial equality in America.
Student Article Info

BBC's HistoryExtra is devoted to both British and world history and aimed at readers of all levels of knowledge and interest. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
6-89-12
Subject:
Social Studies
Topic:
History
Keywords
civil rightssegregationEmmett TillRosa ParksMartin Luther King Jr.
Close-up of the text of the Civil Rights Acts Of 1964
© Getty

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 900–1100L
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Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1100–1300L
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