Rosa Parks

Today in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white person in Montgomery, Alabama, leading to her arrest for violating segregation laws. 

The history surrounding this momentous day is a bit more complicated than our school text books tell us, for Parks was not the first person to give up her seat and the case that eventually overturned racial segregation on Alabama buses was not Rosa Park's case. 

However, the significance of her arrest is not to be overlooked, for her arrest was the spark needed to ignite the historic, year-long Montgomery Bus Boycott.

The Boycott was so successful -- the large amount of riders lost was an economic blow to Montgomery -- it would stimulate the Civil Rights movement and bring activists together in the South to fight for their liberties. In fact, the movement was so big, it propelled Martin Luther King, Jr, an organizer, into the spotlight. 

A year after the boycott began, a case called Browder v. Gayle would overturn Alabama segregation on buses, citing violation of the 14th amendment. Following this triumphant news, the boycott commenced. A victory had been had. 

Rosa Parks is to be remembered for her bravery and for her leadership. Death threats were not uncommon... She also lost her job. Her refusal to move for a white person and the following Bus Boycotts proved not only incredibly courage, but also the power of the people, especially when they come together and fight for what is right. 

We leave you with a few photos of Parks, and even one of our current president...