Research > Homework Center > Civil Rights

Civil Rights Resource Guide

Online Resources

Civil Rights Megasites
1906 Atlanta Race Riots
1968 Sanitation Workers' Strike
Affirmative Action
Baptist Church Bombing
Biographies
Black Codes
Black Panther Party
Brown v. Board of Education
Bus Boycotts
Civil Rights Laws
Dred Scott Decision
Freedom Rides

Greensboro Sit-ins
Jim Crow Laws
Ku Klux Klan
Little Rock Nine
Lynching
March on Washington
Murder of Emmett Till
Other Court Cases
Scottsboro Trials
Selma to Montgomery March
Voting Rights Act 1965
Watts Riots

Library Booklists

Educator Resources

Online Lesson Plans

Civil Rights Megasites

American Civil Liberties Union: http://www.aclu.org/

The official Web page for the ACLU, an organization that is "the nation's foremost advocate of individual rights -- litigating, legislating, and educating the public on a broad array of issues affecting individual freedom in the United States."
Bending Toward Justice: The Unfinished Story of Brown v. Board of Education: http://www.asbj.com/BrownvBoard/

The National School Boards Association presents this look at the case, its significance in US history, and the concern for the progress of desegregation in the last 50 years.
Civil Rights: http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/lbjforkids/civil.shtm

The Lyndon B. Johnson Library presents Civil Rights history for kids.
An Interactive Civil Rights Chronology: http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/jbalkin/brown/1502.html

This Yale University website presents a civil rights timeline from 1502 through 2000.
National Civil Rights Museum: Virtual Tour: http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/gallery/movement.asp

Take a virtual tour of the Civil Right Movement.
American Civil Rights Institute: http://www.acri.org/

"A national civil rights organization created to educate the public about racial and gender preferences."
Speeches: http://www.nps.gov/malu/documents/speeches_toc.htm

Full text of speeches supporting civil rights, from 1849 to the present.
Voices of the Civil Rights: http://www.voicesofcivilrights.org/index.html

The Library of Congress, AARP and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights have created this site to collect personal narratives about the civil rights era.
The History Channel: Voices of the Civil Rights: http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/voices/

Theiis a companion website for Voices of the Civil Rights by the History Channel for students and educators. It includes a study guide, a timeline, video and audio clips and primary resources.
The Civil Rights Movement and the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.: http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/civilrts/

The US State Department looks at the significant events in the Civil Rights Movement as well as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s role in this important time in US history.
Civil Rights Timeline: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/civilrightstimeline1.html

InfoPlease presents a detailed timeline of the modern Civil Rights Movement.
The Civil Rights Era: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart9.html

The Library of Congress presents information and historic items related to civil rights in America.
We Shall Overcome: Historic Places in the Civil Rights Movement: http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/

The National Park Service presents landmarks of significant historic landmarks in the Civil Rights Movement.
Oh Freedom Over Me: http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/oh_freedom/index.html

This site presents text and audio information regarding what came to be known the Mississippi Burning Trial, when three civil rights workers who set up voter registration opportunities for African Americans in the South were killed.
Turbulent Times: The Civil Rights Movement: http://library.thinkquest.org/C004391F/

This Thinkquest site presents a good overview of the civil rights movement.
Reporting Civil Rights: http://www.reportingcivilrights.org/

This site highlights the journalism of the US civil rights movement.
Civil Rights in Mississippi: http://www.lib.usm.edu/~spcol/crda/

This site contains audio clips and transcripts from interviews with significant figures in the Mississippi civil rights movement.
A Reporter's Notebook: Images of the Civil Rights Movement: http://kingstonuu.org/mlk-photo0a.htm

This site presents the photographs of Wilfred George Randall.
Prints & Photographs Collection: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/mdbquery.html

The Library of Congress provides online access to over one million photos and images of historical significance. Search the collection by typing in "civil rights" or more specific terms related to the civil rights movement.

1906 Atlanta Race Riots

Atlanta 1906: A Race Riot: http://www.bookmarkmedia.com/Atlanta1906/site/

This deadly race riot lasted four days and sent shockwaves through the country.
Atlanta Riot (1906): http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_atlanta.html

PBS presents a brief summary of the events leading up to these riots.

1968 Sanitation Workers' Strike

Memphis: We Remember: http://www.afscme.org/about/memphist.htm

When city council supports the mayor and the NAACP and international union representatives' support the workers, this strike ends up being about more than labor relations. It becomes an opportunity to stand up for civil rights.
I AM A Man: http://www.reuther.wayne.edu/man/1Intro.htm

Wayne State University presents this online exhibit about the strike. It includes a wage calculator so one can calculate what the workers' wages were in today's dollars and retells of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s ill-fated trip to Memphis where he was assassinated.

Affirmative Action

Bakke and Beyond: A History and Timeline of Affirmative Action: http://www.factmonster.com/spot/affirmative1.html

Fact Monster provides an explanation of the origins and progression of affirmative action in the US.
Timeline of Affirmative Action Milestones: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/affirmativetimeline1.html

Stanford's Encyclopedia of Philosophy presents a comprehensive history of affirmative action.

16th Street Baptist Church Bombing

16th Street Baptist Church Bombing: http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1431932

National Public Radio features the 40th anniversary of the bombing and the recent trial that convicted Bobby Frank Cherry in the bombing. Listen to the radio clip or read the transcript online.
In Memory of Four Little Girls: http://www.useekufind.com/peace/

This site provides a history of civil rights and the events that occurred that day. It also discusses recent events related to the bombing.
Sixteenth Street Baptist Church: http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/al11.htm

The National Park Service highlights the historic significance of this building.

Black Codes

Black Panther Party

A Brief History of the Black Panther Party: http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/004.html

Learn about the Black Panther Party's role in the black liberation movement.
Black Panther Party: http://www.blackpanther.org/

The official site for the party.
"To Serve the People" The Black Panther Party's Struggle for Social Change: http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/calheritage/panthers/

What was it like to be a Black Panther? This site presents history and information about the Black Panther Party's community survivial programs, their political activities, and their accomplishments. The site also has many pictures and movies of Black Panthers and their activities.

Brown v. Board of Education

Other Significant Court Cases

Court Cases Megasites
Alvarez v. Board of Trustees of Lemon Grove School District
Bolling v. Sharpe
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education II
Cooper v. Aaron
Cumming v. Board of Education Richmond county
Plessy v. Ferguson
U. S. vs. Cecil Price et al.
Scottsboro Trials

Court Cases Megasites

Civil Rights, Desegregation, Schools: http://www.oyez.org/oyez/portlet/directory/200/221/

This site provides brief descriptions of what each case was about, what the courts where asked to address, and what the court opinion was and what it meant.

Alvarez v. Board of Trustees of Lemon Grove School District

Alvarez v. Board of Trustees of Lemon Grove School District: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/86spring/lemongrove.htm

Considered perhaps the nation's first successful desegregation court case, this site explains how the 1930 case came about.

Bolling v. Sharpe

Bolling v. Sharpe, 347 U.S. 497: http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/40/

This one-page summary helps explain what the case was about and what the court's opinion meant.
Bolling v. Sharpe, 347 U.S. 497: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=347&invol=497

The full text of the US Supreme Court's entire court case opinion.

Brown v. Board of Education II

Brown v. Board of Education, 349 U.S. 294: http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/52/

This site briefly explains what the court case is about, what question the courts were asked to answer and what the court opinion was and what it meant.
Brown v. Board of Education, 349 U.S. 294: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=349&page=294

Brown II addressed this question "What means should be used to implement the principles announced in Brown I?" and reaffirmed the 1954 decision and the court's strong encouragement to comply "with all deliberate speed."

Cooper v. Aaron

Cooper V. Aaron, 358 U.S. 1 (1958): http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/85/

This site briefly explains what the court case is about, what question the courts were asked to answer and what the court opinion was and what it meant.
Introduction to the Court Opinion on the Cooper V. Aaron Case: http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/37.htm

The US State Department presents a summary of the US Supreme Court spoke out on desegregation since Brown v. Board of Education in this case.
Cooper V. Aaron, 358 U.S. 1 (1958): http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=358&invol=1

The full text of the US Supreme Court's entire court case opinion.

Cumming v. Board of Education Richmond County

Cumming v. Board of education Richmond county: http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=175&invol=528

The full text of the US Supreme Court's opinion.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Plessy v. Ferguson: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may18.html

The Library of Congress highlights the events that took place in this court case. The site includes photos illustrating segregation.
Plessy v. Ferguson 163 U.S. 537 (1896): http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/307/

The 1896 case that found that segregation does not in itself constitute unlawful discrimination.
Plessy v. Ferguson 163 U.S. 537 (1896): http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=case&court=us&vol=163&page=537

Full text of the court's opinion on the case.

U. S. vs Cecil Price et al.

U. S. vs Cecil Price et al.: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/price&bowers/price&bowers.htm

Also called the Mississippi Burning trial, this 1967 court case addressed lynching and included one of the most determined segregationist judges.
The Mississippi Burning Trial: A Chronology: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/price&bowers/miss_chrono.html

What began as a voter's registration event in 1964 became a murder trial in 1967.

Bus Boycotts

Baton Rouge Bus Boycott of 1953: http://www.lib.lsu.edu/special/exhibits/boycott/

Discover the chronology of events that led to the boycott and read about the people involved.
The First Civil Rights Bus Boycott: http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1304163

NPR presents the audio and transcript for its All Things Considered discussion about the Baton Rouge bus boycott of 1953.
Montgomery Bus Boycott: http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/about_king/encyclopedia/bus_boycott.html

This site explains the significance of this boycott to the civil rights movement.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott: http://www.alabamamoments.state.al.us/sec55.html

This site gives a quick summary as well as details of the event and has primary resources, such as newspaper articles, scanned in.

Civil Rights Laws

A Short History of American Civil Rights Laws: http://www.withylaw.com/history.htm

Timeline of American civil rights laws from 1776 to 1991.
Congress and the Civil Rights Act of 1964: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/treasures_of_congress/text/page24_text.html

The National Archives and Records Administration presents this look at the legislation and its place in US history.
Civil Rights Law and History: http://www.usdoj.gov/kidspage/crt/crtmenu.htm

This site by the US Department of Justice presents a history of Civil Rights and its laws.
Civil Rights Act of 1866: http://www.toptags.com/aama/docs/crts1866.htm

Full text of the original civil rights act.
Backgrounder of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/39.htm

This site explains what the importance of this act is.
Civil Rights Act of 1964: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/awhhtml/awlaw3/civil.html

Full text of the original civil rights act.

Voting Rights Act 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/intro/intro_b.htm

The US Department of Justice explains the significance and events surrounding the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Voting Rights Act of 1965: http://www.oyez.org/oyez/portlet/directory/200/211/

This site presents court cases that involved the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857): http://www.landmarkcases.org/dredscott/home.html

This site provides a detailed history of the case, traces Scott's travels on a map, arguments for and against Dred Scott and political cartoons. Read newspaper editorials about the case from 1857 and Lincoln's speech regarding the case. This site includes more than just student information, it provides educators with lesson plan ideas and activities.
Court Opinion on the Dred Scott Case: http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/21.htm

Read the court opinion for the Dred Scott Case as well an an introduction that provides historical context.
The Dred Scott Case: http://library.wustl.edu/vlib/dredscott/

The Washington University libaries present digital images of the original case documents filed in St. Louis. The site also includes a chronology of events.
The Dred Scott Case: http://www.nps.gov/jeff/dred_scott.html

This National Park Service site discusses the importance of this decision upon American history.
Dred Scott v. Sandford: http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/case/101/

This site summarizes the court case and conclusion.

Freedom Rides

Freedom Rides: http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/about_king/encyclopedia/freedom_rides.htm

These rides moved to challenge segregation on interstate bus and bus stations.
The Original Freedom Rides: http://www.yclusa.org/article/articleview/1525/1/10/

This site presents a history of the rides and how it affected the civil rights movement.
Freedom Rides Revisited: http://discover.npr.org/features/feature.jhtml?wfId=1122864

NPR and All Things Considered present an interview with four of the original 13 freedom riders. Listen to these interviews online.

Greensboro Sit-ins

Greensboro Sit-Ins: Launch of the Civil Rights Movement: http://www.sitins.com/

This comprehensive site presents brief biographies and interview audio clips of key figures involved, media coverage and photographs at the time, a timeline of events and an in-depth multimedia section full of audio interviews, video clips and more.

Jim Crow Laws

Ku Klux Klan

Ku Klux Klan: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/reference/articles/ku_klux_klan.html

This reference article explains the origins and history of the Klan from the 19th century to today.
Ku Klux Klan: http://www.toptags.com/aama/docs/kkk.htm

The organization and principles of the KKK set forth in 1868.
Ku Klux Klan: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_org_kkk.html

This PBS site provides a brief history of the organization.
Ku Klux Klan: http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/kkk.htm

The Freedom of Information Act led to the release of this 500-page FBI document of the organization's 1964-1965 investigation into the Klan for possible violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Little Rock Nine

Little Rock High School 40th Anniversary: http://www.centralhigh57.org/

This site commemorates the events of the nine students challenging segregation at their high school.
On the Front Lines with the Little Rock 9: http://pbskids.org/wayback/civilrights/features_school.html

This PBS Kids site introduces the Little Rock 9 for younger youth to understand.
Historical Front Pages from the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette: http://www.ardemgaz.com/prev/central/

This site presents a timeline of events, photographs, editorial and opinion columns, speeches and writings as well as recent articles looking back at this historic event.
Arkansas History Commission: Historical Photographs: http://www.ark-ives.com/photo/

Search for Little Rock Nine photographs. Click on Search, type "little rock nine" and hit search.
Integrating Central High: http://teacher.scholastic.com/barrier/hwyf/mpbstory/index.htm

Scholastic presents this website that highlights Pattillo's role in integration and civil rights as one of the Little Rock Nine.

Lynching

American Lynching: http://www.americanlynching.com

This companion site to the documentary of the same name presents a history of lynching in the United States from the 17th to the 20th century. The site includes audio clips of songs that speak about lynching and read quotes and literary references to lynching.
Lynching in Alabama: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/sfeature/sf_lynching.html

This one page website from PBS summarizes the history of lynching in Alabama.
Deluth Lynchings Online: http://collections.mnhs.org/duluthlynchings/index.htm

The Minnesota Historical Society presents historical documents related to the June 15, 1920 lynchings.
Lynching in America: http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/mass/lynching/index_1.html

This site presents a history of lynching in the US and beyond, lynching in the press, the Ku Klux Klan, and how it came to an end.

March on Washington

Scottsboro Trials

Scottsboro: An American Tragedy: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/scottsboro/index.html

PBS and the American Experience series look at the people and events surrounding the 1931 arrest and court case of nine black youth who were accused of raping two white women aboard an Alabama train. The site includes a timeline, maps and teacher resources.
The Scottsboro Boys: http://www.courttv.com/archive/greatesttrials/scottsboro/

CourtTV presents the trials of the Scottsboro boys, biographies of key figures, interviews with history professors today, and how this case led to Supreme Court cases addressing whether they received appropriate counsel and due process. Watch video clips from the CourtTV program.
The Scottsboro Boys and Fundamental Rights: http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itdhr/0701/ijde/pitts.htm

This US State Department site addresses the Scottsboro case and the issue of fundamental rights.
Famous American Trials: The Scottsboro Trials: 1931-1937: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/scottsboro/scottsb.htm

This site presents a timeline, maps, biographies, letters and newspaper articles, photographs, and more.

Selma to Montgomery March

When You Pray, Move Your Feet: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/mar07.html

The Library of Congress presents a history and photographs of the Selma to Montgomery march.
Selma-to-Montgomery March: http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/civilrights/al4.htm

The National Park Service provides a history for this national historic trail.
Selma to Montgomery March: http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/lbjforkids/selma-mont.shtm

An official file about the march and riots from the Lyndon B. Johnson Library.
Selma to Montgomery March: http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/40.htm

Lyndon B. Johnson's 1965 "The American Promise" speech to Congress.

Watts Riots

Johnson's Statement on the Watts Riots: http://www.multied.com/documents/LBJwatts.html

The president's statement following the riots.
Watts Riots: http://www.pbs.org/hueypnewton/times/times_watts.html

PBS presents information about and video clips of the Watts riots.