In short
In September 1957, nine Black students attempted to enroll at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas, challenging the state's segregated education system. Governor Orval Faubus deployed the National Guard to block their entry, triggering a constitutional crisis that forced President Dwight Eisenhower to intervene with federal troops—marking a pivotal test of federal authority over states claiming the right to maintain racial segregation.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine African American students enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Their enrollment was followed by the Little Rock Crisis, in which the students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by Orval Faubus, the Governor of Arkansas. They then attended after the intervention of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
As it was happening
15 voices, 1471 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court rules that 'separate but equal' school systems are unconstitutional, invalidating the legal basis for segregation.
Voices from this moment (1)
Brown v. Board of Education
May 17
“Supreme Court rules that 'separate but equal' school…”
As it was happening
15 voices, 1471 days.
Day 0 · May 17, 1954
Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court rules that 'separate but equal' school systems are unconstitutional, invalidating the legal basis for segregation.
“Supreme Court rules that 'separate but equal' school…”
- Brown v. Board of Education, May 17
Day 1106 · May 27, 1957
Federal judge orders integration
U.S. District Judge Ronald Davies orders Little Rock schools to begin desegregation in the fall of 1957.
“U.”
- Federal judge orders integration, May 27
Day 1204 · September 2, 1957
Faubus deploys National Guard
Governor Orval Faubus orders the Arkansas National Guard to surround Little Rock Central High School, blocking the nine Black students from entering.
“Governor Orval Faubus orders the Arkansas National Guard to…”
- Faubus deploys National Guard, Sep 2
Day 1205 · September 3, 1957
First attempt blocked
The Little Rock Nine attempt to enter the school but are turned away by National Guard troops under Faubus's command.
“Arkansas Governor Bars Negro Students From High School”
- The New York Times, Sep 3
“The Little Rock Nine attempt to enter the school but are…”
- First attempt blocked, Sep 3
Day 1222 · September 20, 1957
Faubus withdraws National Guard
Following a federal injunction, Faubus removes the National Guard from the school, creating a security vacuum.
“Following a federal injunction, Faubus removes the National…”
- Faubus withdraws National Guard, Sep 20
Day 1225 · September 23, 1957
Mob violence erupts
White mobs gather outside the school; the nine students are evacuated after entering briefly. Local police prove unable or unwilling to maintain order.
“White mobs gather outside the school; the nine students are…”
- Mob violence erupts, Sep 23
Day 1226 · September 24, 1957
Eisenhower deploys 101st Airborne
President Eisenhower orders the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock to enforce desegregation and restore order. Federal troops arrive that evening.
“Eisenhower Addresses Nation on Little Rock School…”
- CBS Radio Network, Sep 24
“President Eisenhower orders the 101st Airborne Division to…”
- Eisenhower deploys 101st Airborne, Sep 24
Day 1227 · September 25, 1957
Nine students enter with federal protection
Protected by federal troops, the Little Rock Nine successfully enter Central High School for classes.
“Federal Court Orders Troops Withdrawn From Little Rock…”
- The Washington Post, Sep 25
“American Soldiers Guard Negro Pupils at Arkansas School”
- The Guardian (Manchester), Sep 26
“The Crisis at Little Rock”
- Time Magazine, Sep 30
“Protected by federal troops, the Little Rock Nine…”
- Nine students enter with federal protection, Sep 25
Day 1233 · October 1, 1957
National Guard federalized
Eisenhower federalizes the Arkansas National Guard, placing it under his direct command to ensure compliance with desegregation orders.
“Eisenhower federalizes the Arkansas National Guard, placing…”
- National Guard federalized, Oct 1
Day 1471 · May 27, 1958
School year ends
The 1957–1958 school year concludes with the nine students having completed the year, though facing ongoing harassment and hostility.
“The 1957–1958 school year concludes with the nine students…”
- School year ends, May 27
The numbers.
4 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Students enrolled
0 Black students
Federal troops deployed
0st Airborne Division
Federal troops stationed
0 soldiers
School year
0–1958
Front pages.
3 outlets carried the story: The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time Magazine.
Media coverage
What the world was reading.
5 pieces, ranked by how much they shaped the discourse.
The New York Times
Newspaper · United States · Sep 3, 1957
"Arkansas Governor Bars Negro Students From High School"
Governor Orval Faubus of Arkansas ordered the National Guard to prevent nine Negro students from entering Little Rock Central High School, defying a federal court order to integrate the institution. The action marked a direct confrontation between state and federal authority over school desegregation.
- Sep 25, 1957
The Washington Post
Newspaper · United States
"Federal Court Orders Troops Withdrawn From Little Rock School"
President Eisenhower dispatched 1,000 paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock to enforce school integration and supersede the state National Guard. The deployment represented the first use of federal troops to enforce desegregation since Reconstruction.
- Sep 24, 1957
CBS Radio Network
Radio · United States
"Eisenhower Addresses Nation on Little Rock School Integration Crisis"
Synthesized from period reporting - President Eisenhower delivered a televised address explaining his decision to send federal troops to Little Rock, emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law and court-ordered desegregation across the nation.
- Sep 30, 1957
Time Magazine
Magazine · United States
"The Crisis at Little Rock"
Synthesized from period reporting - Time's cover story chronicled the standoff between Governor Faubus and the Eisenhower administration, portraying the Little Rock Nine as young students caught between legal orders and violent mob resistance at the school gates.
- Sep 26, 1957
The Guardian (Manchester)
Newspaper · United Kingdom
"American Soldiers Guard Negro Pupils at Arkansas School"
British press coverage noted the irony of the United States deploying military force to uphold constitutional rights, while the nation was actively criticizing Soviet actions in Hungary. The Little Rock crisis dominated international commentary on American racial segregation.
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Integration of Little Rock High School
en.wikipedia.org