Civil Rights Movement Collection

Pinback button for the 1963 March on Washington, 1963. Creator: Unknown
The purpose of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. A white pin-back button with black text

Vietnam tour jacket with Black Power embroidery, 1971-1972. Creator: Saha Union Group
Black jacket probably worn by an African-American soldier during the Vietnam war. The back features discolored white embroidery

Pinback button which reads "Malcolm X Speaks For Me", 1960-1970
Malcolm X (1925-1965), was an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist during the civil rights movement

Report card for Carlotta Walls from Little Rock Central High School, 1957 - 1958
Carlotta Walls LaNier was the youngest of the nine African-American students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in September 1957. In 1954 the U.S

Pinback button promoting Martin Luther King Day, 1982. Creator: Unknown
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, (sometimes referred to as MLK Day), is a national holiday in the United States marking the birthday of African-American civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King Jr

Wrist watch worn by Harriette Moore, early to mid 20th century. Creator: Unknown
Harriette Moore (1902-1952) was an African-American teacher and civil rights activist. Her husband Harry T. Moore founded the first branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored

Pinback button for a national holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr. mid-20th century
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, (sometimes referred to as MLK Day), is a national holiday in the United States honoring African-American civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King Jr

Diploma for Carlotta Walls from Little Rock Central High School, July 8, 1960
Carlotta Walls LaNier was the youngest of the nine African-American students ever to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in September 1957. In 1954 the U.S

Laundry pail associated with the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march, mid-20th century
Bucket used by African-American activists Martin Luther King and Ralph Abernathy on the Selma to Montgomery marches as part of the US civil rights movement

Pennant from the March on Washington carried by Edith Lee-Payne, 1963. Creator: Unknown
The purpose of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans

Wooden prayer beads owned by Suliaman El-Hadi, late 20th century. Creator: Unknown
African-American musician Suliaman El-Hadi was a member of The Last Poets, pioneering spoken-word musicians who came out of the late 1960s African-American civil rights movement

1968 Olympic warm-up suit jacket worn by Tommie Smith, 1968
A warm up tack suit jacket worn by Tommie Smith at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Smith and fellow team-mate John Carlos gave the Black Power clenched-fist salute on the medal podium to protest

Straw sombrero hat associated with Civil Rights campaign, Camden, Alabama, 1971-1972
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination (and therefore segregation) based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin

The Nations Prayer Call Vol. 2 No. 4, 1956-1957. Creator: Unknown
Newsletter of " The Nations Prayer Call" from the Zion Baptist Church. The newsletter has two pages total with black printed text on both sides. The paper is yellowed and creased

First base used in Inaugural Civil Rights Game, 2006; used 2007. Creator: Unknown
Square first base marker used in the 2007 inaugural Major League Baseball Civil Rights game held at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tennessee

Straw hat worn during the 1966 March Against Fear, 1966. Creator: Unknown
The March Against Fear demonstration during the period of the Civil Rights Movement in the USA, was a walk by African-American activist James Meredith from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson

Evidence of Intimidation & Fascist Crimes by USA: The War on the Black Panther Party
Timeline poster about violence and killings against Black Panther members by the police. Originally named Black Panther Party for Self-Defense

Outfit worn by Carlotta Walls to Little Rock Central High School, 1957. Creator: Unknown
Carlotta Walls LaNier was the youngest of the nine African-American students to desegregate Little Rock Central High School in September, 1957

Program from the March on Washington, August 28, 1963. Creator: Unknown
The purpose of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was to advocate for the civil and economic rights of African Americans

Commemorative denim vest with buttons assembled by Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, 1960s
A denim vest with twenty-three pinback buttons pinned across the front. The vest is made of light blue denim. It has two front breast pockets with button flaps

Bumper sticker with the slogan One Man, One Vote, 1962 - 1965. Creator: Unknown
A blue bumper sticker with green and white print. Vertical text down the left side reads: [SNCC]. Text moving from left to right along the sticker reads: [ONE MAN x ONE VOTE]

Red wool scarf worn by Joan Mulholland during a protest near the White House, 1960
This dark red wool scarf was worn by Joan Mulholland during a Howard University Nonviolent Action Group protest near the White House in 1960

Flyer promoting the Citizenship Education Project, 1956. Creator: Unknown
This document is part of a scrapbook that was compiled in 1956 and 1957 by Frances Albrier during her term as president of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)

Placard stating "I AM A MAN"carried by Arthur J
A white poster with black lettering used by Arthur J. Schmidt during the 1968 Memphis March. I Am a Man is a declaration of civil rights

Flyer promoting the second phase of the NCNWs Citizenship Education Project, 1956
This document is part of a scrapbook that was compiled in 1956 and 1957 by Frances Albrier during her term as president of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)

Placard from memorial march reading "HONOR KING: END RACISM!", 1968
A placard comprised of black ink on white (yellowing) card stock. Text reads [HONOR/ KING: / END/ RACISM!]. There is a small hole at the top where the placard would have been stapled to wood

Tape recorder used by Malcolm X at Mosque #7, 1960. Creator: Wollensak
African-American Muslim minister and civil rights activist Malcolm X (born Malcolm Little, 1925-1965) gave speeches at Mosque No. 7, (later renamed Masjid Malcolm Shabazz) in Harlem, New York

Old Jim Crow Has Got to Go!, 1941. Creator: Unknown
Pamphlet consisting of black and white text on yellowed paper and black margins. Illustrated on the cover a fist has punched through a barrier with labels including " peonage

Pinback button for CORE and Black Power, ca. 1966. Creator: Unknown
The Black Power movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, emphasised racial pride and the need to promote the collective interests and values of Black Americans

Pinback button for Channing Phillips presidential campaign, 1968. Creator: Unknown
A metal and plastic pinback button produced during the campaign of African-American minister, civil rights leader and social activist Channing E. Phillips (1928-1987)

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping