BLACK HISTORY FACTS
1896
The Supreme Court rules on Plessy v. Ferguson, upholding the constitutionality of “separate but equal” facilities for different races in private facilities – especially rail cars.
1925
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters is founded, with A. Philip Randolph as its president, becoming the first African-American labor union to sign a collective bargaining agreement with a major U.S. corporation
1944
Irene Morgan is arrested in Virginia for refusing to give up her seat on an interstate Greyhound bus.
1954
The Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision declares state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional
1955
In December, Rosa Parks is arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, for refusing a bus driver’s request to give up her seat to a white person. The Montgomery Bus Boycott begins
1964
President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act into law.
Construction on the Bay Area Rapid Transit System begins.
1966
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Act is passed by the Georgia state legislature, officially creating MARTA
1968
Dr. Martin Luther King is assassinated
1998
In June, President Clinton signs into law the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which adds civil rights requirements to transportation funding
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