"The years from 1955 to 1965 are at the heart of the civil rights movement. Resistance was often met with violence against Black Americans struggling to end discrimination and segregation. Yet the courage of those yearning for equal opportunities under the law continued to persevere. The year 1963 was memorable for both the violence against Black Americans and the words and actions it inspired. In June, two Black students were blocked from registering for classes at the University of Alabama. Civil rights leaders responded with a historic protest. In August, 250,000 people gathered for the March on Washington as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech. The following month, a bomb planted by the Ku Klux Klan killed four girls at a church in Alabama. As the extent of racism and discrimination became more apparent, support for the movement swelled and change now seemed inevitable. This detailed account explains why 1963 was such a critical year in the civil rights movement"--Back cover.