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In spite of the Civil Rights Act, African Americans in many sections of the South still could not vote. Dr. King (awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964) began to turn his attention to voting rights.

In the summer of 1964, people from all over the country came to the South to help African Americans register to vote.

To call attention to the cause of voter’s rights, Dr. King planned a march of over 600 from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.

The marchers were met by about 200 state troopers armed with billy clubs and tear gas. The marchers fell back into Selma, followed by the county sheriff’s mounted posse.

Dr. King went to Montgomery to request a march permit. President Johnson activated the Alabama National Guard and sent army troops, federal marshals, and FBI agents to Selma to protect the marchers.

On March 21, more than 4,000 Americans of different races began the 50 mile walk to Montgomery. About 25,000 others joined the group in Montgomery to complete the march to the Alabama State Capitol.

The march influenced Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act of Within 18 months, a million African Americans were added to the registers of voters in the South.

Black Power – Black Panthers Malcolm X, a member of the Nation of Islam, rejected the civil rights movement and preached black separatism, black pride, and black self-dependence. After the Selma-to-Montgomery march, the mood of many seeking equal civil rights changed from a non-violent approach to a more aggressive.

In the summer of 1967, there were riots in 164 American cities. Dr. King and his supporters urged the end of the violence.

On April 3, 1968, King was in Memphis, Tennessee, to organize support for 1,300 striking sanitation workers. He had many threats on his life throughout the years, but he said… “It really doesn’t matter what happens to me now because I’ve been to the mountain top…and I’ve looked over and seen the promised land. I may not get there with you…but we, as a people, will get to the promised land…like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place…but I’m not concerned about that now.”

The next day, 39 year old Dr. King was on the balcony of a Memphis motel talking with Jesse Jackson, standing below when he was assassinated.

The movement toward civil rights for all Americans did not die with Dr. King. It continued through the work of many others: Mrs. Coretta Scott King Dr. Ralph Abernathy Reverend Jesse Jackson Andrew Young John Lewis Julian Bond

the city of racial moderation and oasis of tolerance

In 1948, Atlanta Mayor Hartsfield hired 8 African American police officers for restricted duties, a move unheard of throughout most of the South.

In 1962, businessman Ivan Allen was elected as Atlanta’s mayor. Ordered the immediate removal of “colored” and “white” signs on all entrances and exits to City Hall. Integrated the city’s fire department and city government.

In July 1963, theaters opened their main doors to 6 African Americans. By October, all of Georgia had followed the Atlanta lead and desegregated public facilities.

Racial problems did still exist however… Segregationist Lester Maddox used a gun and ax handles to chase African Americans away from his restaurant.

In September 1966, a 6 day riot broke out in the Summerhill area across from the stadium. A suspected car thief trying to escape was shot by a white police officer. An eyewitness reported that he was shot a second time after he was down. In response, onlookers threw bricks and bottles at the police. 138 were arrested, and 35 were injured.

When Dr. Martin Luther King died, the eyes of the world turned to Atlanta wondering what they would see… Those who had hoped to see racial troubles were disappointed. The city united in mutual grief and respect.

Atlanta elects its first Jewish mayor

Atlanta elects its first African American vice mayor

Atlanta elects its first African American Board of Education member

Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in housing More black students finish high school and college; get better jobs Greater pride in racial identity leads to Black Studies programs More African-American participation in movies, television Increased voter registration results in more black elected officials

Born in Cairo, Georgia 1 st student at UCLA to earn varsity letters in four different sports in one year (baseball, basketball, football, and track) In 1947, moved up to the major leagues as a Dodger – 1 st African America baseball player in the major league (Dodgers)

"Hammerin' Hank" Aaron, a player for the Atlanta Braves, hit 755 home runs, a record that stood unchallenged until 2007, during his twenty-three-year career in major league baseball.