Orval Faubus Blocks Little Rock High School Integration
On September 2, 1957, Governor Orval Faubus called out the Arkansas National Guard to prevent a group of African-American students, who later became known as the Little Rock Nine, from entering the all-white Central High School. In a broadcast that evening, Faubus defends his decision to call in the state's National Guard.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
Orval Faubus Blocks Little Rock High School Integration
Orval Faubus Blocks Little Rock High School IntegrationAudio Clip (0:27)
Audio Clip (0:27)
On September 2, 1957, Governor Orval Faubus called out the Arkansas National Guard to prevent a group of African-American students, who later became known as the Little Rock Nine, from entering the all-white Central High School. In a broadcast that evening, Faubus defends his decision to call in the state's National Guard.
-
John F. Kennedy Appeals to Mississippi Governor
John F. Kennedy Appeals to Mississippi GovernorAudio Clip (3:42)
Audio Clip (3:42)
After many unfruitful telephone conversations with Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett, President John F. Kennedy calls the governor one more time to discuss the building tension over James Meredith’s impending registration at the University of Mississippi. Though the governor has made clear his opposition to the Supreme Court order to allow Meredith to attend the school, President Kennedy tries to assess whether the governor will maintain law and order when Meredith arrives.
-
John F. Kennedy on Desegregation at Ole Miss
John F. Kennedy on Desegregation at Ole MissAudio Clip (3:18)
Audio Clip (3:18)
When Mississippi Gov. Ross Barnett refused to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling demanding desegregation at the University of Mississippi and the admittance of James Meredith, President John F. Kennedy was forced to intervene. In his address to the nation on September 30, 1962, Kennedy explains his decision to federalize the state national guard in order to maintain law and order while Meredith registers at the college.
-
Brown v. Board of Education Ruling
Brown v. Board of Education RulingAudio Clip (1:02)
Audio Clip (1:02)
On May 17, 1954, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered the unanimous ruling against the "separate but equal" mandate and demanded desegregation of schools. Outside the courtroom, the attorneys who argued the Brown v. Board of Education case, James Nabrit Jr., Thurgood Marshall and George Hayes, give a press conference.
-
Eisenhower Intervenes in Little Rock Crisis
Eisenhower Intervenes in Little Rock CrisisAudio Clip (2:10)
Audio Clip (2:10)
President Dwight D. Eisenhower is forced to take action when nine African-American students are prevented from entering Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In a broadcast to the nation on September 24, 1957, the president explains his decision to order Federal troops to Little Rock to ensure that the students are allowed access to the school, as mandated by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
-
Booker T. Washington on Race Relations
Booker T. Washington on Race RelationsAudio Clip (3:28)
Audio Clip (3:28)
On September 18, 1895, at the Atlanta Exposition, Booker T. Washington rises to national fame when he delivers what came to be known as his “Atlanta Compromise” speech, in which he advocates for the races to work together while remaining separate socially.
-
NAACP's Walter White Decries Racial Inequality
NAACP's Walter White Decries Racial InequalityAudio Clip (2:28)
Audio Clip (2:28)
On June 29, 1947, at the closing session of the 38th annual conference for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Walter F. White, the organization’s executive secretary, warns that despite progress made in civil rights, true equality can’t be achieved with a "separate but equal" mandate.
-
John F. Kennedy Intervenes in James Meredith Case
John F. Kennedy Intervenes in James Meredith CaseAudio Clip (4:38)
Audio Clip (4:38)
In defiance of the Supreme Court ruling that the University of Mississippi desegregate and allow James Meredith to attend, Gov. Ross Barnett physically blocked the African-American student from entering the building to register on September 20, 1962. Nine days later, President John F. Kennedy telephones Barnett to persuade him to cooperate with the Court's ruling. Barnett does little to reassure Kennedy, and attempts to pawn off the decision on his lawyer friend Tom Watkins.
-
Truman Supports Civil Rights
Truman Supports Civil RightsAudio Clip (2:38)
Audio Clip (2:38)
On June 29, 1947, as the first president to address the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Harry Truman pledges his support for upholding the civil rights of all Americans.
-
Bush on Los Angeles Riots
Bush on Los Angeles RiotsAudio Clip (1:40)
Audio Clip (1:40)
On April 29, 1992, shortly after four white LAPD officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King, rioting broke out in Los Angeles. On May 1, President George H. W. Bush delivers a nationally broadcast response to the unrest, which lasted more than a week.
Related Videos (6)
-
Little Rock Nine
Little Rock NineVideo Clip (1:51)
Video Clip (1:51)
Silent footage of members of the 101st U.S. Airborne Division escorting the Little Rock Nine into Central High School on September 25, 1957.
-
Doxie Whitfield's Personal Story of Integration
Doxie Whitfield's Personal Story of IntegrationVideo Clip (2:52)
Video Clip (2:52)
Doxie Whitfield was a nurse in Atlanta in 1963 when the hospital floors were desegregated.
-
W.E.B. Dubois and the Niagara Movement
W.E.B. Dubois and the Niagara MovementVideo Clip (3:44)
Video Clip (3:44)
W.E.B. Dubois was integral to the advancement of racial equality.
-
America's Book of Secrets: Ku Klux Klan
America's Book of Secrets: Ku Klux KlanVideo Clip (44:11)
Video Clip (44:11)
An inside look at the philosophy of racial intolerance, segregation and white supremacy that has been protected by the right to free speech in America for nearly 150 years.
-
Stokely Carmichael
Stokely CarmichaelVideo Clip (1:14)
Video Clip (1:14)
Stokely Carmichael, leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, spoke to a crowd in Greenwood, Mississippi in 1964.
-
George Wallace Opposes Integration
George Wallace Opposes IntegrationVideo Clip (1:30)
Video Clip (1:30)
Newsreel footage of former Alabama Governor George Wallace standing against desegregation while being confronted by federal authorities at the University of Alabama in 1963.
Related Photo Galleries (2)
-
Integration of Central High School
Integration of Central High School(9 Photos)
9 Photos
In 1957 nine black students enrolled at the formerly all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
-
Gandhi
Gandhi(6 Photos)
6 Photos
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is remembered for his nonviolent methods of effecting social and political change.
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
America Divided
(3:54)
-
Caroline Dries: NYU Dorm
(3:26)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
The 60s
Relive the epic events of the times in this sweeping collection from HISTORY.
-
Martin Luther King Jr. - I Have a Dream DVD
Learn the history of King's famous speech and the March on Washington.
$19.98
Buy Now -
The American Civil War DVD Set
Experience for yourself the historical and personal impact of the Civil War.
$81.99
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up
