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Born in Tylertown, Mississippi
Ruby Bridges was born in Tylertown, Mississippi. -
Family moves to New Orleans, Louisiana
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Pam Foreman Testroet breaks school boycott
At age 5, Pam Foreman Testroe, a white child, breaks school boycott by attending class at William Franz. -
Ruby volunteered to participate in school integration
In response to a call from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Ruby's parents volunteered her to participate in the integration of the New Orleans School System. Ruby was the only black child chosen to attend William Franz elementary school. -
Court ordered first day of integration in New Orleans
As soon as Ruby was brought into the school, many parents took their children out of the school in protest. -
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Ruby is sole student in Ms. Henry's class
For over a year Ruby's teacher, Ms. Henry, taught Ruby alone because no white students attended her class. Parents did not want their children in class with a black student. -
President Eisenhower ordered U.S. Marshalls to protect Ruby
Marshalls were necessary due to threats from people protesting integration. -
Ruby recieves threats
One woman threatened to poison Ruby everyday. One woman put a black doll in a miniature coffin and displayed this coffin during a protest. -
Ruby Bridges Foundation Formed
Ruby founded the Ruby Bridges Foundation in 1999 to promote "the values of tolerance, respect, and appreciation of all differences". -
Awarded Presidential Citizens Medal by Bill Clinton
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Honored in the Anti-Defamation League's Concert Against Hate
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An exhibit on the life of Ruby Bridges at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
In 2007 the Children's Museum of Indianapolis unveiled a new exhibit documenting Bridges' life, along with the lives of Anne Frank and Ryan White. -
Recieves honorary degree from Tulane University
On May 19, 2012 Bridges received an Honorary Degree from Tulane University at the annual graduation ceremony at the Mercedes Benz Superdome.
