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G3-4 Text Set: Civil Rights

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives his “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. AP

During the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and ’60s, black Americans sought to end the effects of racism and discrimination by fighting for equal rights under the law. This text set explores the theme of civil rights by looking at some historical figures and events that brought about social justice reforms.

Essential Questions

1. What are civil rights?

2. What problems did the civil rights movement address?

3. Who played an important role in civil rights reform? What did they do? What was their impact?

4. Why is it important to learn about the civil rights movement? How can we apply lessons from that historical period today?

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Paired Text

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Fannie Lou Hamer

January 1, 2020

Fannie Lou Hamer (October 6, 1917—March 14, 1977) was a civil rights activist. She fought to expand voting rights for African Americans. Fannie Lou Hamer was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi, during a time of segregation. African Americans in the…

Audio
Video

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Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 1, 2020

Martin Luther King Jr. is considered one of history’s greatest activists. His leadership helped end segregation during the civil rights movement. When Martin Luther King Jr. was born, his parents, Michael and Alberta, gave him a different name from the…

Audio
Ruby Bridges

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Ruby Bridges

January 1, 2020

In 1960, Ruby Bridges (September 8, 1954—) walked through the doors of William Frantz Elementary School, in New Orleans, Louisiana. By doing so, she became the first African-American student to attend an all-white elementary school in the Southern United States.…

Audio

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Lyndon B. Johnson

August 2, 2018

President Lyndon B. Johnson (August 27, 1908—January 22, 1973) advanced equality through civil rights law and programs to help the poor. He is also remembered for increasing U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War. Lyndon B. Johnson became president after…

History

Justice for All

February 16, 2018

September 4, 1957, was supposed to be the first day of school for 14-year-old Carlotta Walls. But as she and eight other black teenagers approached Little Rock Central High School, in Arkansas, they were met by angry protesters. Members of…

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