Much of the popular history of the Civil Rights Movement leads Americans to believe that African American freedom happened thanks to a few extremely well-known heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. While these leaders certainly played their roles and committed acts of significant bravery, this lesson aims to expand the conversation beyond the heroes behind the lectern and train the eye of history instead on the thousands of everyday Americans who made sacrifices to be involved in the movement. Whether it was the March on Washington, the Birmingham Children’s Crusade,