Little rock 9 biography channel

Were the little rock nine the first to integrate

Supreme Court's landmark ruling of Brown v. Board of Education , which declared that segregation was unconstitutional in American public schools. Under the glare of an angry mob of white students, 1, armed soldiers, media cameras and pro-segregationist governor Orval Faubus, the Little Rock Nine made their way to Central High. Eight of the students carpooled together, but because her family didn't have a phone, Eckford couldn't be reached.

Thus, she arrived by herself, which is how the famous photograph transpired of her coolly walking towards the school entrance with a notebook in hand as a screaming crowd surrounded her. The weeks leading up to September 25th were trying for the Little Rock Nine, who were counseled and hand-selected by Bates. Although they tried to attend Central High earlier, the continual threats of violence and bloodshed prevented them from attending classes.

It was only when President Dwight Eisenhower sent 1, armed soldiers from the st Airborne to keep the peace that the Little Rock Nine were able to complete a full day of school. Once they were in school, their lives were difficult. For the rest of the school year, they faced constant verbal and physical harassment — Pattillo had acid thrown in her face, Ray was pushed down the stairs and Brown was expelled for retaliating after a group of girls threw a purse full of combination locks at her.

Brown's mother was even fired from her job because she wouldn't give in to pressure to pull her daughter out of the school.