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University of Arkansas School of Law is intergrated.
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Little Rock Public Library approves integrating its facilities.
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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional in Brown V. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
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The Little Rock School Board issues a policy statment saying that they will comply with the Supereme Court's decision when the Court outlines the mehtod to be followed and the time to be allowed.
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The School Board votes unanimously to adopt Superindentent Virgil Blossom's plan of gradual integration which would start sometime in Septhember of 1957. Beginning with high school levels and spreading down to lower grades over the next six years. Blossom was named "Man of Year" by the Arkansas Democrats for his work and involvement on school desegregation.
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Twenty-seven African-American students attempt to register in all-white Little Rock schools, but are turned down.
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The NAACP files suit on behalf of 33 African-American children denied admittance to four white schools.
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Federal Judge John E. Miller dismisses NAACP suit, decalring the Little Rock School Board had acted in "utmost good faith" in its integration plan.
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The city's public buses are quietly desegregated without issue.
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517 Afircan-American students who lived in the Central High district and were eligible to attend Central in the fall. Eighty expressed an interest in doing so. Following interviews with the Superintendent and staff, 17 are selected for the first year of integration at Central. Eight of those later decided to remain at all-black Horace Mann High School.
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The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St.Louis upholds Judeg Miller's dismissal.
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Governor Orval Faubus calls out the Arkansas National Guard to surround Little Rock Central High School to preserve the peace and avert violence that may be caused by extremists who came to Little Rock "in caravans"
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The nine African-American students attempt to enter Central High but are turned away by the National Guard. Elizabeth Eckford and eight other African-American students (known as the Little Rock Nine) made an unsuccessful attempt to enter Little Rock Central High School, which has been segregated. With the complicity of the National Guard, an angry mob of about 400 surrounded the school.
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The Governor remove the Gardsmen and the Little Rock Police Department takes over.
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As a crowd of 1,000 gather around the front of the school, the nine students go inside through a side door. A white student takes them to the principal's office where they are to recieve tjeir class assignments. When the mob leanrs the students are inside, it becomes unruly and the police begin to fear thhat they may not be able to maintain control of crowd.
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Little Rock Mayor Woodrow Mann sends President Eisenhower a telegram asking for federal troops to maintain order and complete the integration process. The President announces he is sending 1,000 members of the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock.
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Under escort by the Army troops, the nine students are escorted back into the Central High School building as well as to each class.
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After being repeadetly taunted by white male students, Minnijean Brown, one of the famous Nine, dumps a bowl of chili on one of the male students taunting her in the cafeteria. She was suspended for six days.
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Following additional altercations with white students, Minnijean Brown is suspended by the Board of Education for the remainder of the school year. She transferred to New Lincoln High School in New York City.
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Ernest Green becomes the first black student to graduate from Central Highas he joins 600 senior classmates in commencement ceremonies at Quigley Stadium. Federal troops and the city police are on hand but the event goes perfectly.
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The U.S. Supreme Court announces a special session to discuss the Little Rock school desegregation issue.
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The Supreme Court rules that Little Rock must continue with its integration plan. The School Board announces the opening of the city's high schools on September 15. GovernorFaubus orders Little Rock's three high schools closed.
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Federal Court declared the state's school-closing law unconstitutional. The new school board announced that it would be repoening its doors for the high schools in the fall.
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President Lyndon B. Johnson signes the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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All grades in Little Rock public schools are finally integrated.
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Thirty years after first entering Central High, the Little Rock Nine returned as a group for the first time. They were met by Lottie Shackelford, Little Rock's second black mayor. Central High cheerleaders along with other students both black and white couldn't help but to applaud.
