How Rosa Parks Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Rosa Parks across different fields.
Rosa Parks, an American activist, played a crucial role in the civil rights movement, most notably sparking the Montgomery bus boycott. Her refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in 1955 led to her arrest and the subsequent boycott, a watershed moment in the fight against racial segregation. Parks became an enduring symbol of resistance and is revered as "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement" by the U.S. Congress for her courageous act and lasting impact.
November 1956: Bus Segregation Ruled Unconstitutional
In November 1956, the Browder v. Gayle case resulted in a federal decision declaring bus segregation unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment, marking a significant victory in the fight against segregation.
1956: Parks Discusses Rights as Human Being
During a 1956 radio interview, Rosa Parks said she wanted to know once and for all what rights she had as a human being and a citizen.
1956: Bowl Game Armageddon
In 2022 a major motion film Bowl Game Armageddon was announced, which will spotlight Rosa Parks and Emmett Till leading up to the 1956 Sugar Bowl and Atlanta riots
1958: King's Book on Parks' Arrest
In 1958, Martin Luther King Jr. wrote in his book Stride Toward Freedom that Rosa Parks' arrest served as the catalyst, not the cause, for the Montgomery Bus Boycott, highlighting the deep-seated injustices faced by African Americans.
1979: Supersisters Trading Card
In 1979, Rosa Parks was featured on card No. 27 in the Supersisters trading card set.
1980: Parks Rededication to Civil Rights
In 1980, widowed and without immediate family, Rosa Parks rededicated herself to civil rights and educational organizations.
February 1987: Co-founding of 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.
1987: Parks Recalls Arrest on 'Eyes on the Prize'
In 1987, Rosa Parks recounted the bus incident and her arrest for the public television series 'Eyes on the Prize', reflecting on her decision to not give up her seat.
1992: Publication of "Rosa Parks: My Story"
In 1992, Rosa Parks published "Rosa Parks: My Story," an autobiography aimed at younger readers, recounting her life leading up to her decision on the bus.
1994: The Rosa Parks Highway
In 1994, the Missouri legislature voted to name a section of highway the "Rosa Parks Highway" after the Ku Klux Klan applied to sponsor that portion of United States Interstate 55.
1995: Publication of "Quiet Strength"
In 1995, Rosa Parks published "Quiet Strength," her memoir focusing on her faith.
1998: Outkast song Rosa Parks
In 1998, Outkast released a song named after Rosa Parks, that resulted in a lawsuit due to using her name without permission.
March 1999: Lawsuit Against OutKast
In March 1999, Rosa Parks filed a lawsuit against OutKast, claiming their song "Rosa Parks" used her name without permission.
1999: Parks' Cameo on Touched by an Angel
In 1999, Rosa Parks filmed a cameo appearance for the television series Touched by an Angel. This was her last appearance on screen, as she began to suffer from health problems due to old age.
2001: Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks
In 2001, the documentary Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks was released.
2002: Academy Award Nomination and Film Release
In 2002, Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks received a nomination for the Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject. Also in 2002, the film The Rosa Parks Story, starring Angela Bassett, was released, alongside the film Barbershop, which caused controversy.
April 15, 2005: Settlement of Lawsuit Against OutKast
On April 15, 2005, the lawsuit filed by Rosa Parks against OutKast was settled with an undisclosed cash settlement and agreement to create educational programs.
October 24, 2005: Rosa Parks' Death
On October 24, 2005, Rosa Parks passed away, leaving behind a powerful legacy as a leading figure in the civil rights movement.
October 27, 2005: City Buses Reserved in Honor of Parks
On October 27, 2005, officials in Montgomery and Detroit announced that the front seats of their city buses would be reserved with black ribbons in honor of Rosa Parks until her funeral.
October 29, 2005: Parks Lies in Repose in Montgomery
On October 29, 2005, Rosa Parks' coffin was flown to Montgomery and taken to St. Paul AME church, where she lay in repose dressed as a church deaconess.
October 31, 2005: Parks Lies in Honor in the U.S. Capitol
On October 31, 2005, Rosa Parks lay in honor in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, the first American who had not been a U.S. government official to be honored in this way. An estimated 50,000 people viewed the casket, and the event was broadcast on television.
November 2, 2005: Rosa Parks' Funeral
On November 2, 2005, Rosa Parks' funeral service was held at the Greater Grace Temple Church in Detroit. She was interred at Detroit's Woodlawn Cemetery in the chapel's mausoleum, which was renamed the Rosa L. Parks Freedom Chapel.
2005: Parks Lies in Honor at the Capitol Rotunda
Upon her death in 2005, Rosa Parks became the first woman to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda, a tribute to her significant impact on American history.
2013: Portrayal in Psychobitches
In 2013, Rosa Parks was portrayed by Llewella Gideon in the first series of the Sky Arts comedy series Psychobitches.
April 2016: Gary Tyler's Release After Parks' Support
In April 2016, Gary Tyler, whom Rosa Parks supported, was released after 41 years in prison, highlighting her long-standing advocacy for political prisoners.
2018: Return of Parks' House to the United States
In 2018, Rosa Parks' house was moved back to the United States after being exhibited in Germany, with plans for exhibition at Brown University that were later cancelled.
2018: Doctor Who Episode "Rosa"
In 2018, the Doctor Who episode "Rosa", which centers on Rosa Parks and is portrayed by Vinette Robinson, was released.
2019: Rosa Parks Barbie Doll
In 2019, Mattel released a Barbie doll in Rosa Parks's likeness as part of their "Inspiring Women" series.
2020: Nicki Minaj's "Yikes" Controversy
In 2020, Nicki Minaj incorporated Rosa Parks into her song "Yikes", which caused controversy due to its reference to the Montgomery bus boycott.
2022: Release of "The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks" Documentary
In 2022, the documentary The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, the first full-length documentary about Parks, was released on Peacock. Also in 2022, the film Bowl Game Armageddon was announced.
