Little Rock Nine on their way to school guarded by the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne
The Little Rock Nine were the first group of black students to integrate to an all white high school. On September 25, 1957, these nine teenagers attempted their first day at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The nine had no idea what they were going to face; acid was thrown into their eyes, they were kicked and punched, and dynamite was thrown at them. Their families were even called and given terrifying threats. Though times for each of the nine's families were hard, the students were brave and courageous enough to survive a year at Central High. The nine teenagers who fought for racial equality were Melba Pattillo Beals, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Jefferson Thomas, Minnijean Brown Trickey, Terrence Roberts, and Thelma Mothershed Wair. When authorities tried to stop the children from attending Central, the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne were brought in to protect them. Even though their struggles were severe, the nine stood tall and made a real change for the world today.