Laws allowing segregation in public places like restaurants and hotels led to laws allowing the segregation of public schools. While these schools were supposed to be equal, that wasn’t the case. The schools that African American students attended didn’t receive much funding, and the education they received was terrible compared to that of white students.

In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that in places of public education, “Separate but Equal” didn’t apply (Brown vs. Board of Education) and was a violation of the 14th Amendment.

While this ruling was a victory for civil rights, many states remained stubborn, and in some instances the National Guard had to be called in to get children to school safely. At one point in Arkansas, all public schools were completely closed to prevent any black students from attending. This closure lasted for about a year until in 1959, the Supreme Courts had to step in again to order them re-opened.