History of Rosa Parks in Timeline
Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked the Montgomery bus boycott, a watershed moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Her courageous act of defiance, on December 1, 1955, challenged the prevailing system of racial segregation in public transportation. Parks' subsequent arrest and trial galvanized the Black community, leading to a 381-day boycott of the city's buses. This event brought Martin Luther King Jr. to national prominence and significantly impacted the struggle for racial equality in the United States. Parks' seemingly simple act of resistance became a symbol of the power of individual action in the face of injustice. She is widely hailed as "the mother of the freedom movement" and "the first lady of civil rights."
1962: Housing Discrimination in Detroit
In 1962, Rosa Parks lived in the Virginia Park neighborhood of Detroit which was heavily impacted by highway construction and urban renewal. These policies resulted in the destruction of 10,000 structures and displaced a large number of African-American residents.
August 30, 1967: People's Tribunal and Activism
On August 30, 1967, following the Detroit riot, Rosa Parks served on a "people's tribunal" to investigate the killing of three young men by police in the Algiers Motel incident. She also became involved with the League of Revolutionary Black Workers and the Republic of New Afrika, raising awareness of police abuse. She helped form the Virginia Park district council and took part in the Black power movement.
1967: Detroit Riot and Housing Discrimination
Rosa Parks considered housing discrimination to be a major factor leading to the 1967 Detroit riot. She lived near the center of the riot.
August 19, 1977: Husband's Death
Rosa Parks' husband, Raymond Parks, died of throat cancer on August 19, 1977.
1979: Mother's Death and Personal Hardships
In 1979, Rosa Parks' mother, Leona, passed away at age 92 after a period of illness with cancer and dementia. Parks nursed her mother through this time. She also suffered personal losses, including the death of her brother and a fall resulting in broken bones.
1980: Rededication to Civil Rights
In 1980, Rosa Parks rededicated herself to civil rights and educational work, co-founding the Rosa L. Parks Scholarship Foundation.
February 1987: Co-founds the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute
In February 1987, Rosa Parks co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development with Elaine Eason Steele. The institute runs the "Pathways to Freedom" bus tours focused on civil rights history.
1992: Publishes "Rosa Parks: My Story"
In 1992, Rosa Parks published her autobiography, "Rosa Parks: My Story," aimed at young readers.
August 30, 1994: Robbery and Assault
On August 30, 1994, 81-year-old Rosa Parks was robbed and assaulted in her Detroit home by Joseph Skipper. He was later caught, sentenced, and transferred out of state for his own safety.
1994: Highway Named in Her Honor
In 1994, a section of Interstate 55 in Missouri was named the "Rosa Parks Highway" after the state legislature voted to name the highway in her honor following a sponsorship attempt by the KKK.
1995: Publishes "Quiet Strength"
Rosa Parks published her memoir, "Quiet Strength," focusing on her faith, in 1995.
1999: Cameo Appearance on "Touched by an Angel"
Rosa Parks made her final on-screen appearance in a cameo role for the television series "Touched by an Angel" in 1999. She began experiencing age-related health problems after this.
2002: Eviction Notice
Rosa Parks received an eviction notice from her apartment in 2002 for non-payment of rent due to age-related decline in managing her affairs.
2004: Rent Forgiven
Following publicity about her potential eviction, Rosa Parks' back rent was forgiven, and she was allowed to live rent-free for the rest of her life. However, concerns about mismanagement of her finances were raised by family members.
October 27, 2005: City Buses Honor Parks
On October 27, 2005, Montgomery and Detroit reserved the front seats of their city buses with black ribbons to honor Rosa Parks following her death.
October 29, 2005: Parks Lies in Repose, Memorial Service Held
On October 29, 2005, Rosa Parks' coffin was placed at St. Paul AME Church in Montgomery, where she lay in repose. A memorial service was held the next day.
April 2016: Advocacy for Political Prisoners
In the 1970s, Rosa Parks actively organized for the freedom of political prisoners, notably supporting the Joanne Little Defense Committee, Wilmington 10, RNA 11, and Gary Tyler. Tyler was released in April 2016 after 41 years in prison.
2016: Former Residence Preserved
In 2016, Rosa Park's former Detroit home, facing demolition, was saved by artist Ryan Mendoza. He moved it to Berlin, restored portions, and used it as a museum.
2018: House Returned to the US
Rosa Parks' preserved home was moved from Germany back to the United States in 2018. Plans to display it at Brown University were later canceled, but it was temporarily exhibited in Providence, Rhode Island.