The First Day of School

1
The First Day of School

• Background Information

2
Important Players

• Virgil Blossom Superintendent of Schools in
  Little Rock
• Governor Faubus Arkansas Governor
• Daisy Bates President of Arkansas NAACP
• Ronald N. Davies District Court Judge

3
The Little Rock Nine
4
Overview

• 1955 Blossom announces plan to integrate 3
  schools in Little Rock
• 1st school scheduled to integrate Central High
• Horace Mann HS for African Americans
• Hall all White school in prominent area

5
Overview

• School board sent plan to federal district court
  (required by law)
• Court approved plan
• Summer 1957 school officials selected 17 out of
  200 applicants
• Applicants rejected due to grades and fear of
  pressure due to being a minority

6
Overview

• By opening day of school only 9 students were
  prepared to attend
• Blossom asks Little Rock Nine to stay home
  Tuesday as he sought guidance from District Judge
  Ronald N. Davies

7
Overview

• Little Rock Nine expected to attend Wednesday,
  September 4th
• Daisy Bates suggests group comes to school
  together
• Does not contact Elizabeth Eckford
• Eckford turned away from Central High due to
  angry mob (famous photo)