The nation and the world watched in 1957 as a confrontation unfolded between Little Rock, Arkansas, and the federal government over the right of nine black students to attend Central High School, an all-white school. Although the Supreme Court ruled segregated education unconstitutional in Brown v. Board three years before, its failure to offer implementation guidance or time limits gave southern states the freedom to move with more deliberation than speed. Governor Orval Faubus used police and the National Guard to prevent the nine students, also called the "Little Rock Nine," from attending the school. President Dwight Eisenhower had not interfered in the Brown issue, but now was forced to act in this crisis. President Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division to escort the students to the school on September 25, 1957. The paratroopers continued to patrol the halls for the remainder of the year.

A slew of white citizens groups sprang up to oppose desegregation. The most widespread was the White Citizen's Council, called the "country club Klan" by its critics because members included governors, judges, and congressmen.

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Daisy Bates
Orval Faubus
Dwight Eisenhower
Little Rock Nine