Abraham Lincoln - Born on February 12, 1869, Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States and is credited for ending slavery of the African American people. Upon his presidency in 1861, he made the decision to free slaves to save the Union. Though Lincoln was somewhat of an unwilling civil rights leader,(he made it clear he would rather save the Union without ending slavery) he was one of the most important. Had he not freed the slaves, the lack of African American rights could still be hindered to this day. Information from - http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96feb/lincoln.html

Rosa Parks - Born on February 4, 1913 Rosa Parks played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement. Most famous for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus in 1955, Rosa was also the secretary of the NAACP and advisor to the NAACP youth council. Rosa Parks book, Quiet Strength, tells her reason behind not moving from the seat on the bus. Rosa was tired of being mistreated and felt the need to stand up for herself and others. Rosa Parks' actions led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and later the Supreme Court's ruling that segregation on transportation was unconstitutional. Information from - http://www.grandtimes.com/rosa.html, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk/movement/PT/Rosa_Parks_1956.html and http://www.tsum.edu/museum/parksbio.htm

Malcolm X - Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, Malcolm X became a primary leader for the civil rights movement. Malcolm's message for people was one of personal responsibility. Malcolm himself was a follower of Elijah Muhammad, a leader who's views were considered violent. In 1963, Malcolm left Muhammad's group and no longer preached messages of hatred. His view of white people changed, and he no longer saw them all as racist. He began preaching about white and blacks working together. However, in 1964 Malcolm X's life and work was cut short when he was gunned down while speaking to the people in Harlem. Malcolm X left the black community feeling a sense of worth and belonging to the world. Information from - http://www.ghgcorp.com/hollaway/civil/civil46.htm and http://www.uni-jena.de/~qab/Malcolm.html

Martin Luther King Jr. - One of the most favored and well remembered civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr, was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. Inspired by another civil rights leader, Rosa Parks, King led the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. King was most known for his preaching of nonviolent protest which he became acquainted with through Mohandis Gandhi. In 1963, King led a massive march on Washington and delivered the famous "I have a dream" speech. King's actions were seen nationwide, but tragically his life was cut short when he was assasinated on April 4, 1968. Martin Luther King Jr's message of freedom for all left a profound impact on the US, and his dream is still being pursued today. Information from - http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96jan/king.html

Jesse Jackson - One of the most well-known, current civil rights leaders, Jesse Jackson was born on October 8, 1941. Jackson was a follower of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and later became a leading spokesman for African Americans. Jackson is most known for his involvement with the National Rainbow PUSH Coalition in which he is president. For the past 30 years, Jackson has played a role in movements for empowerment, peace, gender equality, and civil rights. His goal has always been to bring people together on common grounds across lines of class, gender, beliefs, and race. Information from - http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/.../0,5716,44133+1+43164,00.html?query=jesse%20jackso and http://www.usbol.com/ctjournal/JJacksonbio.html

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