5 Key Events That Changed the U.S. Civil Rights Movement
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 "5 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.
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.
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.
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.
More Like This
The article "Charlotta Bass: The Civil Rights Fighter Who Ran for U.S. Vice President" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a compelling story about Charlotta Bass, the first Black woman to run for vice president in the U.S. It traces her journey from journalist to political pioneer, highlighting her activism, bravery against the Ku Klux Klan, and surveillance by the FBI during the height of the civil rights movement.
The article "Jim Crow Laws: America’s Era of Racial Segregation" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a guide to how racial segregation shaped American life from the 1870s to the 1960s. It explores the origins of the term "Jim Crow," the laws and court cases that enforced segregation, and the brave individuals and movements that challenged them — leading to major civil rights victories.
The article "Charlotta Bass: The Civil Rights Fighter Who Ran for U.S. Vice President" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a compelling story about Charlotta Bass, the first Black woman to run for vice president in the U.S. It traces her journey from journalist to political pioneer, highlighting her activism, bravery against the Ku Klux Klan, and surveillance by the FBI during the height of the civil rights movement.
The article "Jim Crow Laws: America’s Era of Racial Segregation" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a guide to how racial segregation shaped American life from the 1870s to the 1960s. It explores the origins of the term "Jim Crow," the laws and court cases that enforced segregation, and the brave individuals and movements that challenged them — leading to major civil rights victories.