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Brown v. Board
"The United States Supreme Court rules racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Five days later, the Little Rock School Board issues a policy statement saying it will comply with the Supreme Court’s decision. In May 1955, The Supreme Court further defines the standard of implementation for integration as being “with all deliberate speed,” in Brown II and charges the federal courts with establishing guidelines for compliance." -
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Little Rock Integration
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NAACP Pushes for Immediate Integration
"Under the direction of Pine Bluff attorney Wiley Branton, chairman of the state’s NAACP Legal Redress Committee, the NAACP petitions the Little Rock School Board for immediate integration." -
School Board Plans Gradual Integration
"The Little Rock School Board adopts the Blossom Plan of gradual integration beginning with the high school level (starting in September 1957) and the lower grades during the next six years." -
Injunction Against Integration Nullfied
"The segregationist Mother’s League of Central High School holds its first public meeting. They file a motion seeking a temporary injunction against school integration. Two days later, Pulaski Chancellor Murray Reed grants the injunction on the grounds that integration could lead to violence. Federal Judge Ronald Davies nullifies the injunction and orders the School Board to proceed with its desegregation plan." -
Governor Orval Faubus Speech
"Governor Orval Faubus orders the Arkansas National Guard to prohibit African American students from entering Central High School and announces his plans in a televised speech." -
Angry Mob Forces Nine to be Removed
"An angry mob of over 1,000 whites gathers in front of Central High School, while nine African American students are escorted inside. The Little Rock police remove the nine children for their safety. President Eisenhower calls the rioting “disgraceful” and ordered federal troops into Little Rock." -
101st Airborne Division Arrive
"1200 members of the 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles” of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, roll into Little Rock. The Arkansas National Guard is placed under federal orders." -
First Full Day of Classes
"Under troop escort, the “Little Rock Nine” are escorted back into Central High School for their first full day of classes." -
Ernest Green Graduates
"Senior Ernest Green becomes the first African American student to graduate from Central High School." -
Cooper v. Aaron
"Highlighting numerous discipline problems during the school year, the school board asks the court for permission to delay the desegregation plan in Cooper v. Aaron." -
Integration Delayed
"Judge Harry Lemley grants the delay of integration until January 1961, stating that while the African American students have a constitutional right to attend white schools, the “time has not come for them to enjoy [that right.]” -
Supreme Court Overrules Desegregation Verdict
"Under appeal, the United States Supreme Court rules that Little Rock must continue with its desegregation plan. The School Board orders the high schools to open September 15. Governor Faubus orders four Little Rock high schools closed as of 8:00 a.m., September 15, 1958, pending the outcome of a public vote." -
Public Votes Against Integration
"Citizens vote 19,470 to 7,561 against integration and the schools remain closed." -
Pro-Integration Teachers Dismissed
"Segregationist members of the school board vote not to renew the contracts of 44 teachers and administrators they say supported integration." -
Action Against Segregationists
"The WEC and local businessmen form Stop This Outrageous Purge (STOP) and solicit voter signatures to recall the three segregationist board members. Segregationists form the Committee to Retain Our Segregated Schools (CROSS)." -
Segregationists Removed
"STOP wins the recall election in close victory. Three segregationists are voted off the school board and three moderate members are retained." -
Little Rock School Reopen
"Little Rock public high schools reopen, nearly a month early. Segregationists rally at the State Capitol where Faubus advises them that it was a “dark” day, but they should not give up the struggle. They then march to Central High School were the police and fire departments break up the mob. Twenty-one people are arrested."
