Ruby Bridges, Age 6, Integrates New Orleans School

Moments In Civil Rights History

November 14th, 1960, was the first day of first grade for 6-year-old Ruby Bridges of New Orleans, where public schools were desegregated by court order. Ruby was one of four black students starting first grade at the previously all-white schools. All but one teacher refused to teach while a black child was enrolled. Within a week, nearly all of the white students in the schools had withdrawn.

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