On September 12th, 1958, a landmark moment unfolded when the supreme court handed down its decision mandating integration within the Little Rock High School District's high schools. Numerous citizens mounted opposition to the integration plan, with efforts across the board focused on stopping the initiative from moving ahead.
What followed were prolonged confrontations both in courtrooms and in the streets before integration in the Little Rock School District finally got underway. Citizens responded to the court order with protests and further legal challenges, and it wasn't until 1961 that integration was fully and successfully achieved.
Fun Facts:
- Though the integration plan originated in 1954 following the Supreme Court ruling, it didn't become a reality until 1961.
- Citing the unrest that had resulted from the plan, Judge Harry Lemley sided with the district and ruled to postpone its implementation.
- Gloria Ray's mother (one of the student's parents) lost her job after she refused to pull her child out of Central High.
- After integration efforts failed, Governor Faubus took the drastic step of shutting down Little Rock High School District in 1958. The schools would eventually reopen later on.
- Little Rock School District was made up of multiple public schools, all of which remained closed for a total of 11 months.
- On September 4th, 1957, Elizabeth Eckford showed up at school by herself, only to be confronted by a hostile mob of angry white students and parents hurling screams and shouts at her. She later recounted that one of the parents spit on her.
- Governor Orval Faubus directed the National Guard to physically block the entrance to Central High, ensuring the Little Rock Nine could not get inside.
- The National Guard was subsequently ordered removed by Judge Davies, who transferred responsibility for keeping order to the Little Rock Police department.
- As the sole senior among the Little Rock group, Ernest Green made history by becoming the first person of color to graduate from the institution.