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Brown v. Board of Education
Linda Brown and her family sued Topeka Kansas, and the Board of Education. They stated that the facilities were indeed separate, but they were not equal. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown V. Board of Education, that segregation in schools is considered unconstitutional. However, the supreme court did not explain how quickly and how it should be achieved. -
Brown II
The supreme court issues Brown II, which demands the desegregation of public schools. This gives no guide on implementing the ruling of Brown v. Board of Education. However, it orders the states to integrate with "all deliberate speed". -
Massive Resistance
Henry Byrd called for "Massive Resistance". This was a group of laws that was passed to prevent the integration of public schools. This resulted in the closing of many Virginia public schools. -
Desegregating Schools
Governor J. Lindsay Almond Jr. demands that Virginia public schools not desegregate, and advises that if any Virginia public school goes against his wishes they will be found in violation of Virginia law. This led to the closing of Warren County High School, Lane High School, Venable Elementary School, and two secondary schools in Norfolk. -
Overturning Gov. Almond's Decision
The Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals overturned Governor Almonds school-closing law. This led to seventeen black students in Norfolk to enroll in white schools. -
Prince Edward Public Schools
Despite the ruling to reopen schools and to integrate, Prince Edward County Public Schools closed its whole school system. Instead it created private schools to educate the white children. -
Prince Edward Free School Association
The Prince Edward Free School Association was established to serve the children who could not receive an education under the alternative forms of schooling established following the closing of the public school system. -
Fonda Milligan Interview
Fonda was nine years old when the schools desegregated. Her father was the president of the school board and advocated for desegregation. He believed that everyone was entitled to a great education and that was important. Since she lived in a small town there was not a lot of diversity in her town. She did not have a colored classmate until she was a junior in high school. -
Civil Rights Act
The civil rights act became law, giving the government more backing to require intergration. -
Griffin V. School Board of Prince Edward
This court discussion ruled that the closing of schools to be a violation of the student's rights.
