1. Little Rock Nine

2. Little Rock Nine
Nine African American students who desegregated Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas
1957 – three years after Brown vs. Board of Education

3. The mob
A mob of angry, white protestors attacked them as they tried to enter the school
Received numerous death threats

4. Arkansas National Guard
Arkansas governor Orval Faubus sent 270 Arkansas National Guard soldiers to block the school entrance so the African American students could not enter
He openly stated that he would not allow integration

5. President Intervenes
After three weeks, President Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division “the Screaming Eagles” to protect the students and keep the peace

6. Ernest Green
The African American students were harassed, but continued to attend
In 1958, the first African American student, Ernest Green, graduated

7. No School
At the end of the 1958 school year, Governor Faubus closed all of Little Rock’s schools rather than allow integration.
Central High did not reopen until 1960.