SCLC Timeline

1950s 

1. 1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott begins, led by the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as its leader. 
2. 1956: The U.S. Supreme Court rules segregation on Montgomery buses unconstitutional. 
3. 1957: SCLC is founded in Atlanta, Georgia, with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy, Fred Shuttlesworth, and other leaders. 
4. 1957: The SCLC launches its first major campaign in support of desegregation in the South. 
5. 1958: Dr. King publishes “Stride Toward Freedom,” detailing the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the philosophy of nonviolence. 
6. 1958: The SCLC begins organizing local chapters in Southern cities. 
7. 1959: The SCLC participates in the national “Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom” in Washington, D.C. 

1960s 

1. 1960: The SCLC assists in organizing the “Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee” (SNCC) as a youth-led counterpart. 
2. 1961: SCLC supports the Freedom Rides, challenging segregation in interstate travel. 
3. 1962: The SCLC conducts voter registration drives in the South. 
4. 1963: The Birmingham Campaign begins, involving nonviolent protests against segregation. 
5. 1963: Dr. King is arrested during the Birmingham Campaign. 
6. 1963: The SCLC organizes the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. 
7. 1963: Dr. King delivers the “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. 
8. 1963: The SCLC collaborates with the NAACP and other groups to push for the Civil Rights Act. 
9. 1964: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is signed into law. 
10. 1964: The SCLC is a key player in the Mississippi Freedom Summer, promoting voter registration. 
11. 1964: Dr. King receives the Nobel Peace Prize. 
12. 1964: The SCLC begins its “Operation Breadbasket” program to address economic inequalities. 
13. 1965: The SCLC organizes the Selma to Montgomery marches advocating for voting rights. 
14. 1965: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is signed into law. 
15. 1965: Dr. King delivers the “How Long, Not Long” speech in Selma. 
16. 1966: The SCLC launches the “Open Housing” campaign in Chicago to address housing discrimination. 
17. 1967: Dr. King announces the Poor People’s Campaign, focusing on economic justice for all. 
18. 1967: The SCLC campaigns against the Vietnam War, advocating for peace and justice. 
19. 1968: The SCLC organizes the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike to support labor rights. 
20. 1968: Dr. King is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. 

1970s 

1. 1974: The SCLC participates in commemorations of the 10th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. 

1980s 

1. 1983: The SCLC celebrates the 20th anniversary of the March on Washington. 
2. 1984: The SCLC launches programs focusing on educational equity and school desegregation. 
3. 1986: The SCLC advocates for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, which is signed into law. 
4. 1988: The SCLC participates in national anti-apartheid protests supporting sanctions against South Africa. 

1990s 

1. 1990: The SCLC supports the reauthorization of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. 
2. 1992: The SCLC is involved in the aftermath of the Los Angeles riots, addressing racial and economic inequalities. 
3. 1994: The SCLC celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act with national events. 
4. 1996: The SCLC participates in the Million Man March, advocating for Black empowerment and unity. 

2000s 

1. 2005: The SCLC commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 
2. 2006: The SCLC advocates for Hurricane Katrina survivors and racial justice in recovery efforts. 
3. 2008: The SCLC supports the election of Barack Obama as the first Black President of the United States. 
4. 2009: The SCLC organizes events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. 

2010s 

1. 2012: The SCLC supports the “Black Lives Matter” movement, addressing police violence and systemic racism. 
2. 2013: The SCLC commemorates the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. 
3. 2014: The SCLC engages in protests against the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. 
4. 2015: The SCLC celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches. 
5. 2017: The SCLC holds events marking the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. 
6. 2019: The SCLC advocates for the protection of voting rights in response to emerging threats. 

2020s 

1. 2020: The SCLC plays a role in the nationwide protests following the murder of George Floyd. 
2. 2020: The SCLC pushes for police reform and justice system changes in response to racial violence. 
3. 2021: The SCLC supports the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. 
4. 2022: The SCLC campaigns for economic justice policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on marginalized communities. 
5. 2022: The SCLC receives historical marker by the Georgia Historical Society 
6. 2023: The SCLC celebrates the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington and continues to advocate for racial and economic justice. 
7. 2024: The SCLC participates in national dialogues on racial equity and criminal justice reform.