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The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Plessy vs. Ferguson that "separate but equal" facilities for African Americans do not violate the Constitution.
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The Supreme Court unanimously rules in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, et. al. that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.
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African American students enroll in formerly all-white schools in Washington D.C. and 150 school districts in eight states.
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The Little Rock School Board adopts a plan to gradually integrate, beginning with the admission of a few African American students to Central High School in September, 1957.
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School officials approve 17 African American students for enrollment at Central High School from over 200 applicants.
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Governor Faubus testifies that integration will result in violence, a judge issues a court order temporarily keeping African American students from enrolling at Central High.
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Faubus announces that he is mobilizing the Arkansas National Guard to prevent violence. The School Board asks African American students to stay away from Central High.
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U.S. District Court Judge Ronald N. Davies orders the Little Rock School Board to proceed with integration.
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The Arkansas National Guard refuses to allow nine African American students to enter Central High School.
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U.S. District Court Judge Ronald N. Davies orders an end to state interference with the integration of Central High. The governor withdraws the Arkansas National Guard.
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Over a thousand angry white people gather outside Central High to protest the enrollment of the "Little Rock Nine." Little Rock police officers are unable to maintain order.
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As the Nine were attempting to enter the school they were met by a crowd of protesors. The nine students were removed for their own safety and President Eisenhower calls in the federal troops.
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The US 101 Airborne division leave Little Rock leaving the safety of the students to the federal troops.
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Ernest Green graduates from Central High and becomes the first African American to do so.
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Orval Faubus closes all public schools in Little Rock in order to attempt to end desegregation.
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A group of white parents and members of the Little Rock Nine succeed in re-opening the school to black and white students.
