Category Archives: African-American Civil Rights

At Mrs. King’s funeral, a mix of elegy and politics 20 years ago this hour (Feb 7 2006)


Video: 'Clips from Coretta Scott King's funeral'

(Tuesday, February 7, 2006, scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. EST)Coretta Scott King, the widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., was laid to rest today, after a funeral where white-gloved ushers welcomed 15,000 people, including four presidents, three governors, three planeloads of Congress members, celebrities, gospel stars and leading figures of the civil rights movement. Continue reading At Mrs. King’s funeral, a mix of elegy and politics 20 years ago this hour (Feb 7 2006)

Egyptian ferry sinks in Red Sea, killing more than 1,000 people 20 years ago this hour (Feb 3 2006)


Video: 'Why did they allow it to sail!? - Al Salam Boccaccio 98 Ferry Disaster (What The History E02)'

(Friday, February 3, 2006, 1:33 a.m. Eastern European Time) — An Egyptian passenger ferry carrying more than 1,400 people sank in the Red Sea overnight during stormy weather, killing more than 1,000 passengers in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region’s history, Egyptian officials said today. Continue reading Egyptian ferry sinks in Red Sea, killing more than 1,000 people 20 years ago this hour (Feb 3 2006)

Civil rights icon Coretta Scott King, 78, dies 20 years ago this hour (Jan 30 2006)


Video: 'Coretta Scott King: The Unsung Hero of the Civil Rights Movement'

(Monday, January 30, 2006, approximately 8:30 p.m. PST)Coretta Scott King, known first as the wife of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., then as his widow, then as an avid proselytizer for his vision of racial peace and nonviolent social change, died today at a hospital in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. She was 78. Continue reading Civil rights icon Coretta Scott King, 78, dies 20 years ago this hour (Jan 30 2006)

U.S. observes first federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. 40 years ago today (Jan 20 1986)


Video: '20th January 1986: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day first observed as a federal holiday'

(Monday, January 20, 1986) — Singing the ballads of the civil rights movement, thousands of people marched slowly through Atlanta today as the nation marked the first Federal holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Continue reading U.S. observes first federal holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. 40 years ago today (Jan 20 1986)

Robert C. Weaver nominated to become first African-American in presidential cabinet 60 years ago this hour (Jan 13 1966)


Video: '1966 Robert C. Weaver Becomes First African American To Be Appointed to Cabinet' (Jan. 18, 1966)

(Thursday, January 13, 1966, 4:15 p.m. EST; during the Civil rights movement) — Robert C. Weaver was nominated today to become the first African American to serve as a member of the U.S. president’s cabinet by President Lyndon B. Johnson, specifically as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Original Ku Klux Klan formed in Pulaski, Tennessee 160 years ago today (Dec 24 1865)


Video: 'Ku Klux Klan - An American History | Part 1 | Free Documentary History' (Dec. 24, 1865, at 3:30)

(Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 1865; during the Reconstruction era) — Just six days after the 13th Amendment, formally abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States (except as punishment for a crime), was officially proclaimed in effect, six veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club today in Pulaski, Tennessee — a group that would become the first incarnation of the Ku Klux Klan. Continue reading Original Ku Klux Klan formed in Pulaski, Tennessee 160 years ago today (Dec 24 1865)

Slavery in America abolished as Thirteenth Amendment declared in effect 160 years ago today (Dec 18 1865)


Video: 'The 13th Amendment Explained: The Constitution for Dummies'

(Monday, December 18, 1865) — The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery, was declared in effect today by Secretary of State William H. Seward, having been ratified by three-quarters of the states (including those in secession) as of Dec. 6, 1865. Continue reading Slavery in America abolished as Thirteenth Amendment declared in effect 160 years ago today (Dec 18 1865)

Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery ratified 160 years ago today (Dec 6 1865)


Video: '13th Amendment - Decades TV Network'

(Wednesday, December 6, 1865) — The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude (except as punishment for a crime), was ratified today as Georgia became the 27th state to endorse it. Continue reading Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery ratified 160 years ago today (Dec 6 1865)

Rosa Parks arrested after refusing to give bus seat to white man 70 years ago this hour (Dec 1 1955)


Video: 'Rosa Parks_Dec 1, 1955 achievement'

(Thursday, December 1, 1955, around 6 p.m. local time)Rosa Parks, an African-American seamstress, was arrested today after refusing to obey bus driver James F. Blake’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, sparking a year-long boycott of the buses by blacks. Continue reading Rosa Parks arrested after refusing to give bus seat to white man 70 years ago this hour (Dec 1 1955)

New version of Ku Klux Klan founded 110 years ago tonight (Nov 25 1915)


Video: 'Rebirth of Hate: The Ku Klux Klan's 1915 Revival | SLICE EXPERTS'

(Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 1915) — A new version of the Ku Klux Klan, targeting blacks, Jews, Catholics and immigrants, was founded tonight by William Joseph Simmons, who proclaimed himself the Imperial Wizard of the group as he staged a cross-burning on Stone Mountain outside Atlanta. Continue reading New version of Ku Klux Klan founded 110 years ago tonight (Nov 25 1915)