The National Archives Marks the 50th Anniversary of Little Rock
Press Release · Thursday, May 17, 2007
Special Program and Document Display Mark Honor Civil Rights Milestone
More Information
Washington, DC…The National Archives will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the integration of Little Rock Central High School with a special program and document display. Both are free and open to the public, and will take place at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, which is located on the National Mall at Constitution Ave. and 7th Street, NW, and is fully accessible.
Thursday, August 23, at 6:30 p.m. - William G. McGowan Theater
Fifty Years After Little Rock: The Media and the Movement
In September 1957, nine black students walked into Little Rock’s all-white
Central High School, striking a blow against segregation. As the heroic efforts
of the “Little Rock Nine” helped define the civil rights era,
the media played a crucial role in calling the public’s attention to
the issues of the day. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of these historic
events, the Newseum and the National Archives Experience present “50
Years After Little Rock: The Media and the Movement.” The evening begins
with a screening of the documentary film The Press and the Civil Rights
Movement, produced by Frank Bond of the Newseum. Then Bond, formerly an
anchor and reporter at WUSA-TV, will moderate a panel discussion on the media’s
coverage of issues relating to race, justice, and equality.
August 23–October 8, East Rotunda Gallery
Fifty Years After Little Rock: Special Featured Document Display
For several weeks in the fall of 1957, members of the 101st Airborne Division
of the U.S. Army escorted nine African American teenagers to and from their
school, Little Rock Central High. The Army’s daily reports from
the period chronicle the verbal taunts and physical assaults the students endured
as they broke through the barriers of racial segregation. A selection of those
reports will be on display to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the integration
of Little Rock Central High School.
# # #
For Press information please contact the National Archives Public Affairs Staff at (202) 357-5300.
To verify the date and times of the programs, the public should call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 357-5000, or view our Calendar of Events online. To contact the National Archives, please call 1-866-272-6272 or 1-86-NARA-NARA (TDD) 301-837-0482.
07-102
This page was last reviewed on January 30, 2013.
Contact us with questions or comments.