Little Rock Nine facts for kids
The Little Rock Nine was a group of nine brave African-American students. In 1957, they tried to attend Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. This school was only for white students because of something called racial segregation.
Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus tried to stop them from entering the school. But President Eisenhower sent the United States Army to make sure the students could go to class. This event was a very important part of the African-American Civil Rights Movement. It showed how people fought for equal rights.
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Why the Little Rock Nine are Important
The Little Rock Nine showed great courage. They helped change unfair laws that separated people based on their race. Their actions helped pave the way for schools to become open to all students, no matter their background.
Little Rock Central High School Today
Today, Little Rock Central High School is still a working school. It is also a National Historic Site. This means it's a special place that helps us remember important history.
The school has a Civil Rights Museum. This museum helps people learn about the events of 1957. The National Park Service helps run the museum.
The home of Daisy Bates was also very important. She was the leader of the Arkansas NAACP. She helped and supported the students. Her house is now a National Historic Landmark.
Books and Movies About the Little Rock Nine
The story of the Little Rock Nine has been told in many ways.
- Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the Little Rock Nine, wrote a book. It is called Warriors Don't Cry. It shares her experiences during that time.
- Two TV movies have been made about the events. They are Crisis at Central High (1981) and The Ernest Green Story (1993). Ernest Green was the first African-American student to graduate from Central High.
Honors and Awards
The Little Rock Nine have received many important awards for their bravery.
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- In 1996, seven of the Little Rock Nine appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. They met some of the white students who had been mean to them. They also met a student who had been kind.
- In 1999, President Bill Clinton gave each of them a Congressional Gold Medal. This is the highest award a civilian can get from the U.S. Congress. It is given for amazing service to the country.
- In 2007, the United States Mint made a special silver dollar coin. It honored the strength and courage of the students. The coin shows the students with a soldier. It has nine stars for the Little Rock Nine. The back of the coin shows Little Rock Central High School.
- In 2008, the Little Rock Nine were invited to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. He was the first African-American President of the United States.
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Images for kids
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The nine students greeting New York mayor Robert F. Wagner in 1958
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Young U.S. Army paratrooper in battle gear outside Central High School, on the cover of Time magazine (October 7, 1957)
See also
In Spanish: Los nueve de Little Rock para niños
