Integration of 1962 and legacy University of Mississippi

james meredith walking class @ university of mississippi, accompanied u.s. marshals.

desegregation came ole miss in 1960s activities of united states air force veteran james meredith kosciusko, mississippi. meredith s initial efforts required great courage. involved knew how violently william david mccain , white political establishment of mississippi had reacted similar efforts clyde kennard enroll @ mississippi southern college (now university of southern mississippi).

meredith won lawsuit allowed him admission university of mississippi in september 1962. attempted enter campus on september 20, september 25, , again on september 26, blocked mississippi governor ross r. barnett, proclaimed ...no school in our state integrated while governor. shall in power prevent integration in our schools.

after united states court of appeals fifth circuit held both barnett , lieutenant governor paul b. johnson, jr. in contempt fines of more $10,000 each day refused allow meredith enroll, meredith, escorted force of u.s. marshals, entered campus on september 30, 1962.

two people killed gunfire during riot, french journalist, paul guihard , oxford repairman, ray gunter. one-third of marshals, 166 men, injured, 40 soldiers , national guardsmen.

after control re-established federal forces, meredith, protection afforded federal marshals, able enroll , attend first class on october 1. following riot, elements of army national guard division stationed in oxford prevent future similar violence. while ole miss students did not riot prior official enrollment in university, many harassed meredith during first 2 semesters on campus.

according first person accounts, students living in meredith s dorm bounced basketballs on floor above room through hours of night. when meredith walked cafeteria meals, students eating turn backs. if meredith sat @ table other students, of whom white, students , go table. many of these events featured in 2012 espn documentary film ghosts of ole miss .

historical observations , remembrances

in 2002 university marked 40th anniversary of integration yearlong series of events titled open doors: building on 40 years of opportunity in higher education. these included oral history of ole miss, various symposiums, april unveiling of $130,000 memorial, , reunion of federal marshals had served @ campus. in september 2003, university completed year s events international conference on race. year, 13% of student body identified african american. meredith s son joseph graduated top doctoral student @ school of business administration.

six years later, in 2008, site of riots, known lyceum-the circle historic district, designated national historic landmark. district includes:

the lyceum
the circle, including flagpole , confederate monument.


a plaque outside meek school of journalism , new media declaring campus historic landmark in journalism society of professional journalists.



croft institute international studies, known y building
brevard hall, known old chemistry building
carrier hall
shoemaker hall
ventress hall
bryant hall
peabody hall

additionally, on april 14, 2010, university campus declared national historic site society of professional journalists honor reporters covered 1962 riot, including late french reporter paul guihard, victim of riot.

from september 2012 may 2013, university marked 50th anniversary of integration program called opening closed society, referring mississippi: closed society, 1964 book james w. silver, history professor @ university. events included lectures figures such attorney general eric h. holder jr. , singer , activist harry belafonte, movie screenings, panel discussions, , walk of reconciliation , redemption. myrlie evers-williams, widow of medgar evers, slain civil rights leader , late president of state naacp, closed observance on may 11, 2013, delivering address @ university s 160th commencement.