The March on Washington in 1963 was the largest peaceful protest in American history. More than 200,000 people gathered at the National Mall to voice their support for an end to racial segregation and the de facto persecution of African Americans in the United States. Captured in iconic black-and-white photographs, the history-making march was just one example of a much broader movement that spanned two decades and was powered by various leaders, organizations, and ideologies.
For educators and students alike, piecing together this complex history can be a daunting task. Use this research list to introduce your students to some of the major people, ideas, and events that defined the struggle for African American civil rights, and lay a foundation for deeper research and learning. The list includes:
- A time period overview spanning the origins and evolution of the civil rights movement from 1954ؘ–1975
- Biographies of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Famous movements and events including the March on Washington, Freedom Rides, and the Birmingham protests
- Materials exploring the conflicting ideologies of the civil rights movement, including a profile of the Black Panthers
This research list is part of ABC-CLIO’s Educator Support site, your destination for curriculum, planning, and professional development resources. Access to Educator Support is included with your ABC-CLIO database subscription.
