US-DESEGREGATION-BLACK CHILDREN

Vivian Malone and James Hood, two Black students, register at the Alabama University, 12 June 1963, in Tuscaloosa. In June 1963, a federal court barred any state government interference with the enrollment of two black students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, at the University of Alabama. Despite this order, Governor George Wallace appointed himself the temporary University registrar and stood in the doorway of the administration building to prevent the students from registering. In response, President Kennedy federalized the Alabama National Guard. One hundred guardsman escorted the students to campus and their commander, General Henry Graham, ordered George Wallace to "step aside." Thus were the students registered. Kennedy addressed the public, 11 June 1963, in a speech broadcast by all television networks, that cleared his position on civil rights. The bill that he submitted to Congress was ultimately passed as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)