Federal Troop Escort in Little Rock
U.S. Troops escort African American students from Central High School, Little Rock, Arkansas, October 3, 1957: On September 24, Little Rock Mayor Woodrow Mann sent a special request for federal assistance to President Dwight Eisenhower. The following day nine African American students entered Central under the protection of members of the 101st Airborne Division of the U. S. Army, shown here. The Little Rock Nine, as they have become known, finished the school year in 1958. One of the students, Ernest Green graduated that year with the help of federal protection. In September 1958, Governor Faubus closed all high schools in Little Rock. They reopened in August 1959 with the protection of local police. Only four of the nine students returned.
Online Resource: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/brown/brown-aftermath.html
Credit: New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection