50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer

In June 1964, civil rights groups organized a voter registration drive known as the Mississippi Summer Project.  This 10-week drive aimed to increase registration of black voters in the state and led to the formation of 30 "Freedom Schools". 

Thousands of civil rights activists poured into the state to volunteer, in spite of threats and harassment by white supremacists, locals and police. More than 1,000 were arrested and black churches, homes and businesses were burned. Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney disappeared and their bodies were found six weeks later.  This startling act of violence led to greater support for the Civil Rights Movement and the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. 

To learn more about the Freedom Summer:

• watch the PBS video airing June 25
• visit the History Channel
• view digital archives:
  
  Freedom Summer campaign for African American voting rights in Mississippi, 1964
  Civil Rights Digital Archives
  Freedom Summer Text Collection