#OTD20
On This Day in the 20th Century
#OTD20 | September 24, 1957
Ike Orders Troops to Support Integration of Little Rock Central High School
September 24, 1957: President Dwight D. Eisenhower orders federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, to support the integration of Central High School.
The action comes in response to the serial refusal by Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus to allow nine black students to attend the school. More immediately, Eisenhower's directive is precipitated by events of a day earlier when an angry mob agitated in front of Central High School, while nine African American students were escorted inside by Little Rock police and state troopers.
On President Eisenhower's orders, the Secretary of Defense athorizes one thousand members of the 327th Airborne Battle Group of the 101st Airborne Division to be flown from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to Little Rock. They arrive around Central High School by 7:00 p.m.
That same evening, at 9:00 p.m. EDT, President Eisenhower addresses the nation from the White House indicating his decision and stating that “mob rule cannot be allowed to override the decisions of our courts.”
Viewing Options
The crisis at Central High School in Little Rock is chronicled in two standards-based video programs: "Post-War Years" and "Civil Rights Movement," both from the series "America in the 20th Century."
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Access more information from Media Rich Learning and curated off-site sources.
#OTD20
Step back in time to experience the significant events that happened on this day in the 20th century.
Introducing #OTD20: Your Daily Dose of History
Join us as we unveil our #OTD20 Series—a daily exploration of significant events from the past. Perfect for educators, history buffs, and the eternally curious.
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#OTD20 — September 10, 1948: Margaret Chase Smith is elected to the U.S. making her the first woman to serve in both chambers of Congress.
September 15, 1916: First Use of Tanks in Combat
#OTD20 — September 15, 1916: History is made as military tanks roll into combat for the first time during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Somme Offensive.
September 15, 1963: Birmingham Church Bombing
#OTD20 — September 15, 1963: a bomb explodes at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama killing four young girls: Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair.
September 16, 1940: U.S. Introduces Military Draft
#OTD20 — September 16, 1940: A military draft is introduced, marking a critical step in America’s preparation for World War II.
September 17, 1939: Soviet Union Invades Poland
#OTD20 — September 17, 1939: Forces from the Russian army invade Poland, coming on the heels of the German invasion just two weeks earlier. The offensive effectively splits Poland in two.
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