EXPLORE THE ARCHIVES:
CIVIL RIGHTS
Embedded Files
In the 1960s, the nation was embroiled in heated discourse regarding the rights of racial minorities. This collection of records demonstrates the key role that President Johnson played in advancing the civil rights of all Americans.
Telegram from Jackie Robinson (March 9, 1965)
Outraged by the news reports from Selma, Alabama, Jackie Robinson—the first African-American Major League Baseball player—sent this telegram to President Johnson.
Did you know? The White House received thousands of telegrams and letters from Americans voicing their concern about the violence against civil rights marchers by armed officers in Selma, Alabama on Sunday, March 7, 1965.
Phone Call with J. Edgar Hoover (June 23, 1964)
Two days earlier, three civil rights workers were killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan in Philadelphia, Mississippi. In this telephone conversation, President Johnson and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover discuss the investigation.
Did you know? The incident caused national outrage. The three young men—Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney—were working to register black voters in Mississippi. Schwerner and Goodman were white Northerners and members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and Chaney was an African American man from Mississippi volunteering for CORE.
LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A7035-6]
Letter from Roy Wilkins (April 2, 1965)
In this letter, Roy Wilkins describes the historical importance of "The American Promise" speech that the president gave on March 15, 1965.
Did you know? Roy Wilkins was a prominent civil rights activist from the early 1930s to the late 1970s. In 1965, he was the Executive Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 1967, President Johnson awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Roy Wilkins and President Johnson, August 3, 1965
LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A992-24]
LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A992-24]
Letter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (March 18, 1965)
This letter from the president is a response to a telegram from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King said, "Your speech [to the Congress] was the most moving, eloquent, unequivocal, and passionate plea for human rights ever made by any president of this nation."
Did you know? On March 15, 1965, President Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress with "The American Promise" speech, urging voting rights legislation. In his address to the unusual televised night session of Congress, he adopted the rallying slogan of the civil rights movement.
President Johnson moves to shake hands with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., after signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A1030-17A]
LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A1030-17A]
Photo of Civil Rights Meeting (August 6, 1965)
Throughout his presidency, Johnson met frequently with civil rights activists and leaders. This photograph is dated August 6th, 1965, the day that he signed the Voting Rights Bill into law.
Did you know? The two men on the far end of the couch are John Lewis and James Farmer. Together with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., they advocated non-violent protest and played key roles in the civil rights movement in America.
LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A1031_21]
Civil Rights Symposium Video (December 12, 1972)
At his last appearance at the LBJ Library, Lyndon Johnson gave a speech at the 1972 Civil Rights Symposium. Many civil rights leaders with whom he had worked with were in attendance.
Did you know? The LBJ Library holds many events every year. Visit the Events page of the LBJ Library website to learn about all of our upcoming and past events. We hope to see you at the next event!
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