Overview
The Civil Rights movement was the century long struggle for African Americans in The United States to gain equality. Although they were freed because of Emancipation, it would be a long time before they would be completely freed. In 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation of whites and blacks was constitutional as long as the facilities were "separate but equal." After that, laws, called Jim Crow Laws, were made segregating buses, trains, schools, restaurants, parks and most public facilities. Blacks faced much hate in the decades to come, but starting in the 1950's, African Americans began making major strides. They dreamed of ending segregation and racial discrimination throughout the country. They formed groups to fight the racial inequality and organized protests and sit-ins. Many blacks became heroes while standing up for what they believe in. However it would not come without a price. Many sacrifices were made and many died. Through all the hardship, African Americans eventually earned the racial equality they envisioned and fought for.