James Meredith Timeline

By rkaltenbach

  • James Meredith is born

    • Born in Kosciusko, Mississippi
    • Of African American and Native American (Chocotaw) heritage
    • 7th of Cap Meredith's 13 children
    • Inherited independent streak from father

  • Graduates high school

  • Period: to

    Serves in Air Force

    • To earn money for college
    • During service attends the University of Kansas, Washburn University in Topeka, New Mexico Western College, and the University of Maryland's Japan campus.

  • Clennon King sent to mental asylum for attempting to attend summer course at Ole Miss

  • Period: to

    Attends Jackson State college

  • Kennedy is inaugarated

    Meredith believes Kennedy will support his efforts to try and attend the University of Mississippi

  • Writes to University of Mississippi for application form, beginning an 18 month legal battle

  • Although the court ruled in favor of Meredith, Mississippi governor Ross Barnett physically blocks the entrance of Ole Miss, preventing Meredith from entering

  • The US Court rules that Meredith is allowed to attend the university.

  • Meredith enters Oxford campus with a federal entourage to protect him, riots break out and last all night

    • Riots resulted in 2 deaths, 175 injuries, and 212 arrests

  • Meredith registers for classes

  • Meredith graduates from University of Mississippi.

  • Period: to

    Meredith attends the Univeristy of Ibadan in Nigeria.

  • Meredith organizes March Against Fear and is shot by white supremacist, James Aubrey Norwell, shortly after march begins

  • Meredith receives a law degree from Columbia University

  • Meredith returns to Mississippi, involving himself in business, politics and the community.

  • Ran unsuccessfully as a Republican against senator of Mississippi, James Eastland.

  • Period: to

    Meredith worked as a visiting professor for University of Cincinnati