October 1, 2006 - The University of Mississippi recognizes James Meredith as the first African American student to enroll at Ole Miss, 45 years ago to the date. On October 1, 1962, Meredith became the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. His enrollment sparked riots on the Ole Miss campus, which required federal troops and U.S. Marshals, sent by President John F. Kennedy. The riots led to a violent clash which left two people dead, 48 soldiers injured and 30 U.S. Marshals with gun wounds. His actions are regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of civil rights. He graduated on August 18, 1963.
I took the above picture on October 1, 2006, which shows Meredith (far left) as actor Morgan Freeman makes a speech as the ceremony that unveiled a statue of Meredith on campus. Meredith is seen below beside the statue of his 1962 likeness.
