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Marchers with signs at the March on Washington, 1963.

Four Black men wearing suits stand together holding a poster with a dark background and a light colored outline of the state of Mississippi while above the state outline white text reads

A black and white photograph shows an older Black man wearing a dark suit jacket with a dark bowtie and lighter pinstriped pants sits in a chair in front of a painted background

Expanding Access to Civil and Human Rights History

Virtual Exhibition

Reconstructing Atlanta

For Black Atlantans the period of time from the end of the Civil War to the start of the Civil Right Movement was one of rising hope, violent backlash, and tense compromise.

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Classroom Resources

Download full lesson plans or access rich primary source materials and engaging activities to incorporate into your curriculum.

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Civil Rights

Explore lessons and resources that illuminate the American fight for civil rights!
Lesson Plan

Voices of Change: Washington, Du Bois, and the Fight for Black American Progress

Explore the ideological debates between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois then lead students in a debate of their own.
Decision Guide

What Should Be Done to Ease Racial Tensions in Montgomery in 1956?

Deliberate over the tough choices Montgomery citizens faced in 1956 as rising tensions were brought to a head by the bus boycott.
Background Essay

The Creation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Biography

Bayard Rustin
Timeline

The Creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Teaching Civil and Human Rights

Our pedagogical approach centers around primary source materials, develops critical thinking, and encourages empathy using curricular resources to walk teachers and students through civil and human rights history.

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The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is an invaluable resource for history educators. It serves as a wonderful support to the curriculum by providing information, discussions, lesson plans, collaboration, and unique activities for social studies teachers in the classroom.

Eighth Grade Teacher in Canton, GA

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights challenges me to empower my students with the truth of history through inquiry and introspection.

Middle School Teacher in Sandy Springs, GA

Incorporating NCCHR lesson plans has been transformative! Their depth and clarity have ignited passionate discussions and a visible connection among my students. They especially liked seeing Dr. King’s letters that showed how he built a movement.

Eighth Grade Teacher