Which event marked the start of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s?

The Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education is often regarded as a pivotal event marking the commencement of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s. This landmark ruling, decided in 1954, declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson that endorsed the "separate but equal" doctrine.

The significance of this decision extends beyond education; it served as a catalyst for the broader Civil Rights Movement by challenging the legal foundations of racial discrimination and segregation. It provided a legal framework for activists to fight against injustices in various sectors, inspiring subsequent actions and movements aimed at achieving equality for African Americans.

Many of the other events listed also played crucial roles in the Civil Rights Movement, but Brown v. Board of Education is considered a critical starting point because it directly confronted systemic inequality and energized advocates who would work towards dismantling racial segregation across the United States.