What was The Little Rock Nine?
The Little Rock Nine were a group of students who were some of the first African American students in the all white school of Central High School in Little Rock. There were nine students who each volunteered to go to the All-White school as part of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education, which said that segregation in schools was not equal. The students were sent to Central as a test to see how mixing students would work. The students were meet with large amounts of harassment from protestors who did not think African American people belonged in the school with the white kids.
Who were the Little Rock Nine?
The Little Rock Nine had mostly sophomores in the group, a junior, and a senior. One of the sophomores Elizabeth Eckford became famous for a photo of her surrounded by protestors when she was trying to get into the school. (See in image below)
Ernest Green was the oldest in the group and the only senior in the group. He graduated from Central Rock High in May of 1958.
What happened?
A group of nine African American students volutenered to be some of the first African American students in an all white high school. This happened because of in 1954 segregation in school deemed illegal, thanks to the court case of Brown v. Board of education. This court ruling is significant because it started the end of segregation in the US.
Three years later, in September 1957 is when Little Rock Nine was allowed to go into the All White high school of Central Rock High School. On September 2, the governor of Arkansas asked the National Guard to block the students from coming into the school. This and the a mob of angry protestors prevented the students from going into the school. However, around two weeks later a federal judge removed the National Guard from the school. September 23 was another attempt to bring the students into the school, but because of the angry mob they had to escort the students out out of fear for their safety and wellbeing.
Two days after this President Eisenhower sent US troops to help the students into the school and make sure they were safe.
Three years later, in September 1957 is when Little Rock Nine was allowed to go into the All White high school of Central Rock High School. On September 2, the governor of Arkansas asked the National Guard to block the students from coming into the school. This and the a mob of angry protestors prevented the students from going into the school. However, around two weeks later a federal judge removed the National Guard from the school. September 23 was another attempt to bring the students into the school, but because of the angry mob they had to escort the students out out of fear for their safety and wellbeing.
Two days after this President Eisenhower sent US troops to help the students into the school and make sure they were safe.