1961 Freedom Rides

The 1961 Freedom Rides were civil rights activists' efforts to challenge racial segregation in interstate bus travel in the U.S. South. Organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), riders boarded buses to test whether segregated facilities, such as bus stations and waiting rooms, would be enforced. Despite federal laws banning segregation, many areas resisted, leading to violent attacks and arrests. The rides drew national attention, highlighting the injustices of segregation and helping to pressure the federal government to enforce civil rights laws more effectively. They played a crucial role in advancing the Civil Rights Movement.