Feb 12, 2025 - Politics & Policy

In photos: Black History Month's 60 year anniversaries

Russell Contreras

Civil rights demonstrators link hands and sing during a protest at the Dallas Country Courthouse in Selma, Alabama. Later, Sheriff Jim Clark ordered deputies to arrest the protesters in 1965.. — Civil rights demonstrators link hands and sing during a protest at the Dallas Country Courthouse in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Later, Sheriff Jim Clark ordered deputies to arrest the protesters. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Black History Month this year falls on the 60th anniversary of many crucial moments of the Civil Rights Movement that would transform the nation and spark new fights still being played out today.

Through the lens: From the last days of Malcolm X to the climatic marches in Selma, Alabama, to the Watts Riots foreshadowing what was to come, Axios is sharing images of joy, tragedy and triumphs of 1965.

Malcolm X poses beside the street sign for Marshall Street in the English town of Smethwick during a visit to the Midlands. — Malcolm X poses beside the street sign for Marshall Street in the English town of Smethwick during a visit to the Midlands following a high-profile racist election in February 1965. He was investigating racism against Caribbeans and Asians in England.

Malcolm X gets out of his car at his house, which had been firebombed the night before, on February 15 1965. — Malcolm X gets out of his car at his house, which had been firebombed the night before, on February 15, 1965. Photo: Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Two policemen carry stretcher bearing Malcolm X after he was downed by an assassin's bullets at a rally February 21, 1965. The 39-year-old Malcolm was pronounced dead at hospital when he was taken for treatment. — Two policemen carry a stretcher bearing Malcolm X after he was downed by an assassin's bullets at a rally February 21, 1965. The 39-year-old Malcolm was pronounced dead at the hospital when he was taken for treatment. Photo: Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Civil rights marchers led by Martin Luther King, Jr. cross the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma, Alabama after being turned back by state troopers. The marchers had intended to begin a 50 mile march from Selma to Montgomery to protest race discrimination in voting. — Civil rights marchers led by Martin Luther King, Jr. cross the Edmund Pettus bridge in Selma, Alabama after being turned back by state troopers. The marchers had intended to begin a 50-mile march from Selma to Montgomery to protest race discrimination in voting. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

An officer accosts an unconscious woman as mounted police officers attack civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama. who were attempting to begin a 50-mile march to Montgomery to protest race discrimination in voter registration in March 1965. — An officer accosts an unconscious woman as mounted police officers attack civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama, who were attempting to begin a 50-mile march to Montgomery to protest race discrimination in voter registration in March 1965. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Marchers, hand in hand, walk past a fellow marcher waving an American flag, during the Selma to Montgomery march, held in support of voter rights, Alabama, late March, 1965. — Marchers, hand in hand, walk past a fellow marcher waving an American flag, during the Selma to Montgomery march, held in support of voter rights in Alabama, late March, 1965. Photo: Robert Abbott Sengstacke/Getty Images

For Alabama Black women applaud while watching a civil rights march from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital in Montgomery. — Alabama Black residents applaud while watching a civil rights march from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital in Montgomery. Photo: William Lovelace/Getty Images

A Black American family watches President Lyndon B Johnson on television speaking before a joint session of Congress on African American voting rights in 1965. — A Black American family watches President Lyndon B. Johnson on television speaking before a joint session of Congress on African American voting rights in 1965. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

President Lyndon Johnson hands a pen to civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr during the signing of the Voting Rights Act as officials look on behind them, Washington D.C., August 6, 1965. — President Lyndon Johnson hands a pen to civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the signing of the Voting Rights Act as officials look on behind them in Washington D.C., Aug. 6, 1965. Photo: Washington Bureau/Getty Images

National Guard soldiers use fire hoses into the night, helping out hard-pressed firemen faced with dozens of major blazes set during the Watts Riots in Los Angeles in August 1965. — National Guard soldiers use fire hoses into the night amid dozens of major blazes set during the Watts Riots in Los Angeles in August 1965. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

American singer Nina Simone to appear on television at Christmas; the singer during an interview, December 14, 1965. — American singer Nina Simone during an interview on Dec. 14, 1965, before appearing on television for a Christmas special.

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In photos: Black History Month's 60 year anniversaries

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