US civil rights

Discover the history of the US civil rights movement

In mid-20th century America, hundreds of thousands of civil rights activists squared up against racism. This week on HistoryExtra, discover more about the transformative history of the US civil rights movement – from Martin Luther King Jr's 'I have a dream' speech to Mamie Till's decision to display her son's body in an open casket.

You can also listen to our new podcast series below, where expert historians weigh in on the key events and figures in the movement.

Broaden your knowledge

Civil Rights themed week banner

US civil rights movement 5 landmark events

Premium

Protesters in Washington DC with placards

The long road to racial equality . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Four black students in Greensboro, North Carolina, hold the first sit-in (Corbis.)

Timeline Key moments in the American civil rights movement

Two police officers take off a man in a police car during the Notting Hill race riots, London, UK, 2 September 1958.

How did the US civil rights movement influence Britain?

Learn about key figures

Charlotta Bass (centre) was a newspaper publisher, activist and would-be US vice president, who fought against racial discrimination and social injustice. She's seen here with presidential running mate Vincent Hallinan (to Charlotta’s right) and singer and actor-turned-activist Paul Robeson

Charlotta Bass: the first woman of colour to run for US vice president

Photograph of Pauli Murray

Pauli Murray The Civil Rights and LGBTQ+ icon who fought Jim and Jane Crow

James Lawson hosting a press conference in Alabama

Who were the key figures of the civil rights movement?

Premium

American civil rights leader Martin Luther King in Washington DC, where he delivered his famous 'I Have A Dream' speech to a quarter of a million civil rights supporters in Washington DC in August 1963. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

Mourning Martin Luther King Jr The life and legacy of the civil rights leader . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Discover landmark events

Rosa Parks rides an integrated bus

From Rosa Parks to Martin Luther King: the boycott that inspired the dream

The brutal murder of Emmett Till was just one of thousands of racially motivated lynchings in the American South, but it proved to be a pivotal moment in the civil rights revolution. (Image by Bettmann/Getty Images)

Emmett Till The murder that reshaped the American civil rights movement

Rosa Parks being fingerprinted after her arrest

Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat: what happened next?

Black rights activist Malcolm X

Malcolm X: Activism, assassination and how he predicted his own death

Listen to our podcast series

Premium

Pod Civil Rights WL

Episode 1 The lynching of Emmett Till . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Pod Civil Rights WL

Episode 2 The Montgomery bus boycott . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Premium

Pod Civil Rights WL

Episode 3 The March on Washington . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Premium

Pod Civil Rights WL

Episode 4 The 1964 Civil Rights Act . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Premium

Pod Civil Rights WL

Episode 5 Malcolm X’s assassination . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Premium

Pod Civil Rights WL

Episode 6 Legacy . This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.