Lyndon Johnson Signs Voting Rights Act
On August 6, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. In a speech delivered at the signing ceremony, Johnson describes the historic day as a triumph for freedom as huge as any victory won on any battlefield.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
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Lyndon Johnson Signs Voting Rights Act
Lyndon Johnson Signs Voting Rights ActAudio Clip (4:41)
Audio Clip (4:41)
On August 6, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. In a speech delivered at the signing ceremony, Johnson describes the historic day as a triumph for freedom as huge as any victory won on any battlefield.
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John F. Kennedy on Desegregation at Ole Miss
John F. Kennedy on Desegregation at Ole MissAudio Clip (3:18)
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When Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett refused to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling demanding desegregation at the University of Mississippi and the admittance of James Meredith, President John F. Kennedy was forced to intervene. In his address to the nation on September 30, 1962, Kennedy explains his decision to federalize the state national guard in order to maintain law and order while Meredith registers at the college.
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John F. Kennedy Intervenes in James Meredith Case
John F. Kennedy Intervenes in James Meredith CaseAudio Clip (4:38)
Audio Clip (4:38)
In defiance of the Supreme Court ruling that the University of Mississippi desegregate and allow James Meredith to attend, Gov. Ross Barnett physically blocked the African-American student from entering the building to register on September 20, 1962. Nine days later, President John F. Kennedy telephones Barnett to persuade him to cooperate with the Court's ruling. Barnett does little to reassure Kennedy, and attempts to pawn off the decision on his lawyer friend Tom Watkins.
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Lyndon Johnson Rebukes Adam Clayton Powell
Lyndon Johnson Rebukes Adam Clayton PowellAudio Clip (2:29)
Audio Clip (2:29)
In a heated telephone conversation on March 1, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson accuses Adam Clayton Powell of holding up the passage of an education bill.
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Eisenhower Intervenes in Little Rock Crisis
Eisenhower Intervenes in Little Rock CrisisAudio Clip (2:10)
Audio Clip (2:10)
President Dwight D. Eisenhower is forced to take action when nine African-American students are prevented from entering Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In a broadcast to the nation on September 24, 1957, the president explains his decision to order Federal troops to Little Rock to ensure that the students are allowed access to the school, as mandated by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
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Obama's Inaugural Address
Obama's Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (2:16)
Audio Clip (2:16)
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the nation's first African-American president. In his inaugural address, he reminds Americans that he is taking office "in the midst of crisis" but offers hope in meeting the challenge.
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Brown v. Board of Education Ruling
Brown v. Board of Education RulingAudio Clip (1:02)
Audio Clip (1:02)
On May 17, 1954, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered the unanimous ruling against the "separate but equal" mandate and demanded desegregation of schools. Outside the courtroom, the attorneys who argued the Brown v. Board of Education case, James Nabrit Jr., Thurgood Marshall and George Hayes, give a press conference.
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Johnson Introduces "Great Society"
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In a speech presented at the University of Michigan on May 22, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson outlines his vision of a "Great Society," which includes the ideas that will later become programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Head Start.
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Stokely Carmichael on Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
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Audio Clip (2:42)
On April 5, 1968, in a press conference held the day after the slaying of Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael predicts the outbreak of more violence across the nation in retaliation for "white America's biggest mistake."
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Robert F. Kennedy Calls Governor of Mississippi
Robert F. Kennedy Calls Governor of MississippiAudio Clip (4:13)
Audio Clip (4:13)
On September 29, 1962, as measures are taken to safely transport James Meredith to the University of Mississippi where he will enroll in accordance with a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding desegregation of the institution, President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy make a series of phone calls to Gov. Ross Barnett who has openly defied the Court's ruling. Attorney General Kennedy gets exasperated when the governor shoots down his idea for crowd control.
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Ask Steve: Southern Strategy
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In this video clip from Ask Steve, the Southern Strategy is explained. It was the republican party's successful plan of getting the white southern population to shift their views from democratic to republican.
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Martin Luther King, Jr: I Have A Dream
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We are unable to offer the full ''I Have a Dream'' speech, the rights to which are controlled by the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To view a full transcript of this and other speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., visit The Kings Papers Project Web site.
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Civil Rights Act of 1964
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After years of struggle and setbacks, advocates for equality celebrate the passage of sweeping legislation that prohibits racial discrimination.
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George Wallace Opposes Integration
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Minorities in Politics
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In this video of Path to the Podium, minorities in politics are discussed. The first of their races in political positions, and their importance to our society. From Martin Luther King Jr. to Barack Obama, this clip includes a wide variety.
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Nixon Announces His Resignation
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Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Moscow Conference
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