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John F. Kennedy Intervenes in James Meredith Case (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.

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  • John F. Kennedy Intervenes in James Meredith Case
    John F. Kennedy Intervenes in James Meredith Case

    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.

    Audio Clip (4:38)

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(born March 18, 1782, Abbeville district, S.C., U.S.—died March 31, 1850, Washington, D.C.) American political leader who was a congressman, secretary of war, seventh vice president (1825–32), senator, and secretary of state.

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