Historical Events tagged with "mississippi"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Crime & Law

Supreme Court Supports Tribal Court Jurisdiction

April 3rd, 1989 35 years ago

The US Supreme Court affirmed that tribal courts possess jurisdiction under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, specifically in the case involving the Mississippi Choctaw Band and Holyfield. This case centered on the custody of Native American children and highlighted the significance of tribal sovereignty. The decision emphasized the authority of tribal courts in adjudicating matters concerning Native American familial and child welfare issues, reinforcing their autonomy in the legal landscape.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash in Mississippi

October 20th, 1977 47 years ago

A plane crash in Mississippi resulted in the fatalities of six individuals, among them three members of the prominent rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The unfortunate incident occurred during a flight from Greenville to Baton Rouge, as the band was traveling for a concert tour. The crashed aircraft was a Convair CV-240, and it went down in woodland, leading to various injuries and eventually contributing to significant changes in aviation safety standards.

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Natural Disasters

Hurricane Camille Devastates the Gulf Coast

August 17th, 1969 55 years ago

Hurricane Camille, a Category 5 hurricane, devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast in August, resulting in 256 fatalities and severe destruction. Making landfall near Pass Christian, Mississippi, it produced winds exceeding 190 mph, causing catastrophic flooding and widespread damage to infrastructure. Camille remains one of the strongest hurricanes recorded, leaving a lasting impact on the region's landscape and community resilience.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

James Meredith Wounded During March Against Fear

June 6th, 1966 58 years ago

James Meredith, a prominent African-American civil rights activist, was shot by white sniper James Aubrey Norvell while leading the March Against Fear in Mississippi. Meredith had initiated this march to encourage African Americans to register to vote after overcoming years of restrictions and intimidation. The shooting occurred near Hernando, Mississippi, and left Meredith seriously injured, but he later continued his fight for civil rights. The event was captured in a powerful photograph by Jack R. Thornell, which would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize in Photography in 1967.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Discovery of Civil Rights Workers' Bodies

August 4th, 1964 60 years ago

Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney were three civil rights workers who were found dead in Mississippi after disappearing during a voter registration campaign. They were last seen on June 21, and their disappearance prompted a national outcry for justice. The bodies were discovered buried in an earthen dam in Neshoba County, revealing the violent backlash against those advocating for civil rights in the segregated South. Their deaths symbolized the risks facing civil rights activists in the 1960s.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Murder of Civil Rights Workers in Mississippi

June 21st, 1964 60 years ago

Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner were civil rights activists who were murdered in Neshoba County, Mississippi. They had been working to register Black voters during the Freedom Summer campaign. Their disappearance sparked national outrage and highlighted the severe risks faced by civil rights workers at the hands of white supremacist groups, particularly the Ku Klux Klan, in the Deep South.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

James Meredith graduates from University of Mississippi

August 18th, 1963 61 years ago

James Meredith made history as the first African American to graduate from the University of Mississippi, overcoming significant resistance. Despite violent protests and challenges while enrolling, he completed his studies and graduated with a degree in political science, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Medgar Evers Assassinated Outside His Home

June 12th, 1963 61 years ago

Medgar Evers, a prominent NAACP field secretary, was shot in front of his home by Byron De La Beckwith, a member of the Ku Klux Klan, in Jackson, Mississippi. Evers was an influential civil rights activist advocating for racial equality and voter registration. The shooting occurred late at night as Evers returned home after attending a meeting. His assassination sparked widespread outrage and heightened tensions in the already volatile atmosphere of the civil rights movement, rallying many to demand justice.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

James Meredith Defies Segregation at University

October 1st, 1962 62 years ago

James Meredith, an African American, entered the University of Mississippi amid violent protests and federal intervention. This bold act of defiance against segregation marked a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Meredith's enrollment was met with fierce opposition from segregationists, including the state's governor, Ross Barnett, who attempted to block his admission. Eventually, federal forces were dispatched to ensure his safety and protect his right to attend the university.

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