Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

Little Rock, Arkansas

The “Little Rock Nine” attended school here forcing integration.

Little Rock Central High School is recognized for the role it played in the desegregation of public schools in the U.S.  The nine African-American students' persistence in attending the formerly all-white Central High School was the most prominent national example of the implementation of the May 17, 1954, Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education.

Though ruling mandated the integration of public schools, nine Black students were initially denied entry to the school on the morning of September 23, 1957.  Police were needed to get the “Little Rock Nine” past the vicious mob waiting outside the school.  Inside, violence reached a boiling point and the students were removed.  It eventually took intervention by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to send in federal troops before the students could return to school.

Little Rock High School, now Central High School National Historic Site, is a national emblem of the often violent struggle over school desegregation.  Tours of the school are available from the visitors center.

The Arkansas National Guard and  “The Little Rock 9” on the front steps of the High School, 1957.