1955 The city acquires the right-of-way for the long sought West Side Expressway or Mopac as it will become known. The Board of Regents opens all UT education programs to blacks. The school board takes its first steps toward integrating the public schools, permitting black high school students to attend formerly all-white high schools.
1960 Demonstrations erupt against segregation particularly among UT students.
1964 Angered by the city council’s refusal to pass an anti-descrimination ordinance, black activists conduct a speak-in (filibuster) at council meetings that last a week.
1967 First machine comes off the assembly line at IBMs new Austin plant.
1971 For the first time the black man, Berl Handcox wins election to the city council.
1974 The city council passes the Historic Zoning Ordinance seeking to afford some protection to Austin’s historic buildings and natural environment in the face of fast-paced development.
1975 Voters elect a Mexican-American, John Trevino to the city council for the first time.