black history month

Montgomery Bus Boycott

The successful African American boycott of segregated Montgomery, Alabama, buses, which began with the arrest of Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955, transformed the civil rights cause into a mass political movement. It demonstrated that African Americans could unite and engage in disciplined political action, and marked the emergence of Martin Luther King Jr.—the indispensable leader who inspired millions, held them to the high moral standard of nonviolent resistance, and built bridges between Americans of all races, creeds and colors.

When Rosa Parks rode home from work on the afternoon of December 1, 1955, she sat in the first row of the “colored section” of seats between the “white” and “black rows.” When the white seats filled, the driver required Parks to give up her seat when another white boarded the bus. Parks refused, and was thereupon arrested, jailed, and ultimately fined $10, plus $4 in court costs. Parks was 42 years old; she had crossed the line into direct political action.

Related article: Civil Rights Catalyst Rosa Parks Dead at 92