The Little Rock Nine was a group of nine of African-American students that voluntarily integrated into a previously all-white high school. They went to Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas for a year together, with one of the students graduating. They were harassed by their fellow students and even threatened. One of the students, Melba Pattillo, wrote in her book, Warriors Don't Cry, about how the attacks even involved acid and sticks of dynamite.
On September 4, 1957, the nine students tried entering the school but were turned away by the Arkansas National Guard who were sent by Governor Faubus. President Eisenhower then sent the U.S Army 101st Airborne Division to escort and protect the nine students. The guards stayed with the nine throughout the year in order to protect them.
Then in 1958, Governor Faubus closed all of the schools in Little Rock. This became known as the "Lost Year", in which a total of 3,665 students, white and black, were denied public education for a year. Two of the students from the Little Rock Nine came back to Central to Finish high school. Their brave actions helped further integrate formerly all-white schools.