Sidney Poitier wins an Oscar for Best Actor for his role in the film, Lilies of the Field. The achievement makes Poitier the first African-American to win an Oscar in the Best Actor category.

Vivian Malone and James Hood register for classes at the University of Alabama. Despite then governor George Wallace’s promise to block the doors to prevent them from registering, Malone and Hood become the first African-American students to attend the school.

More than 200,000 people participate in the March on Washington protesting for civil rights and equality for all Americans.