INTERACTIVE EVENT GUIDE

Aura Archive Museum

Freedom Riders 1961

The Freedom Riders wanted to test out if they could sit wherever they wanted on a bus from Washington D.C. to New Orleans, Louisiana. As they arrived in Montgomery Alabama, they were suddenly attcked by the KKK. Many were injured and were beat with a baseball bat. This was important because it attracted attention of the Kennedy Administration. After this occurrence, Segregation on interstate busses was now illegal.

Room 1

These busses were bombed

Title 2

Title 2

Greensboro Sit-In 1960

African-American students in Greensboro protested segregated diners and restaurants. The students remained non-violent. Many people started pouring food on them and many people started to be violent. This was very important because it provided a template for nonviolent resistance and marked the civil rights movement's early success. More students started doing this in the South protesting segregated stores, supermarkets, libraries, pools, and bus stations.

All of the diners were packed

Room 2

The firefighters were non-stop spraying their hoses at them.

Birmingham 1963

Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested when he was in Birmingham, Alabama for “parading without a permit” during a march against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. While he was in jail, he wanted to protest but with children. He wanted to show the world that Bull Connor was unafraid to be violent toward kids. During the protest, over 1000 kids were arrested and many were injured due to fireman spraying 100mph hoses at them. When JFK found out about this, he immediately sent 3000 troops to restore peace and order. This was important because it quickly drew attention to racial segregation in the South. Drinking fountains, restrooms, lunch counters, public libraries, golf courses, parks, and schools were now open to all residents.

Room 3