Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott — Reading Comprehension

Rosa Parks was an African American woman who lived in Montgomery, Alabama. On December 1, 1955, she took a seat on a city bus after a long day at work. The law at that time forced Black people to sit at the back of the bus and give up their seats to white people when the bus was full.

When a white man got on and there were no more seats, the bus driver told Rosa to stand up. Rosa Parks refused. She stayed in her seat. She later said, "I felt I had a right to be treated as any other passenger." The bus driver called the police, and Rosa was arrested. This simple, brave act started something big.

After her arrest, Black leaders in Montgomery planned a boycott. This meant Black people would stop riding city buses to protest the unfair rules. The boycott began on December 5, 1955. For over a year, thousands of people walked, carpooled, or found other ways to get to work and school. They worked together to show that the law was not fair.

A leader named Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. helped organize the boycott. He said, "We must meet hate with love." The boycott lasted 381 days. In the end, the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was against the law. Rosa Parks' actions and the boycott helped change the country. They started the Civil Rights Movement, which worked for equal rights for all Americans.

Interesting Fact: Rosa Parks received the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in the United States.

Who was Rosa Parks?

Where did Rosa Parks live?

What did Rosa Parks refuse to do?

Why did people boycott the buses?

How long did the boycott last?

What did the Supreme Court decide?

Rosa Parks started the Civil Rights Movement. True or False?

What does 'boycott' mean?