June 26, 2015 will be remembered as the historic day the Supreme Court ruled same-sex marriage a constitutional right in all of the United States.
With its ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, the court delivered a major victory to a civil rights movement with a long history of setbacks, but also incremental triumphs. Check out this interactive timeline to explore more deeply the history of the LGBT activism in the U.S. over the past century:
Silent No More: Early Days in the Fight for Gay Rights
Caption from LIFE In commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village, militants this year designated the last week in June as Gay Liberation Week and celebrated with a candlelight parade. The parade involved 300 male and female homosexuals, who marched without incident two miles from Gay Activists headquarters to a park near City Hall.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Caption from LIFE When a bill guaranteeing equal job opportunities for homosexuals stalled in New York City Council last spring, militants demonstrated at City Hall. With fists raised, they shout a football style "Gay Power" cheer at police blocking the building.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights protest, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Caption from LIFE A homosexual activist steps between a pair of police horses to be interviewed during a New York demonstration. Militants often charge police brutality and welcome arrest for the sake of publicity. They also encourage press coverage of their protest actions.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights protest, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights protest, California, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights protest, New York, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Caption from LIFE Collared by a patrolman after he deliberately crossed police barricades at New York's City Hall, Gay Activists Alliance President Jim Owles submits to arrest. Members of his organization were protesting City Council reluctance to debate a fair employment bill for homosexuals.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights protest, New York, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights protest, New York, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights protest, New York, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay Pride, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay Activists Alliance, New York, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights rally, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Gay rights event, 1971.
Grey Villet—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
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