HISTORIC FRONT PAGES FROM THE
Arkansas Democrat
and
Arkansas Gazette
Forty years ago, conflict over integration of Little Rock Central High School captured the attention of the world. That crisis stands as the most significant news event in Little Rock's 20th century history.
The crisis of 1957 was reported in powerful detail by the two statewide newspapers of that era -- the morning Arkansas Gazette and the afternoon Arkansas Democrat. Their pages, reflecting different news cycles but equal competitive vigor, provide an objective record of those momentous times.
For 37 days in August, September and October 1997 the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette republished the front pages of both newspapers from the corresponding date 40 years ago. We offer this unprecedented window onto history as a service to our readers.
Time Line: The Stage Is Set
Follow the time line tracing developments on the 39-month path from the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on Brown vs. Board of Education in May 1954 to Central High in 1957.Time Line: After the Calm
Follow the time line tracing events after the tumult surrounding the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School seemed to have calmed in October 1957.
Who's Who in the Central High School Crisis
Key figures in the events of 1957Pictures: A Look Back
View photographs taken by former staff photographer Will Counts, who nearly won the Pulitzer Prize for his photos of the September 1957 desegregation crisis.Editorials and Opinions
Selected editorials and opinion columns from the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette 40 years ago, and from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in this anniversary year.
Speeches and Writings
President Clinton, Sept. 25, 1997 -- One America for today, tomorrow and forever: The text of President Clinton's address at Little Rock's Central High School during a ceremony commemorating the 40th anniversary of the school's desegregation.Gov. Huckabee, Sept. 25, 1997 -- Never again be silent when people's rights are at stake: The text of the speech given by Gov. Mike Huckabee at ceremonies marking the 40th anniversary of the Central High desegregation.
Orval Faubus -- In a 1991 booklet called The Faubus Years, former Arkansas governor Orval E. Faubus offered this explanation and defense of his actions in the 1957 Central High School integration crisis.
President Clinton, Sept. 24, 1997 -- The president reflects on 1957: The transcript of a Democrat-Gazette interview.
2000 articles
Plan for civil rights museum at Central High still in limbo - Julia SilvermanIn Hollywood, they call it "development hell." (February 10, 2000)
1999 articles
Little Rock 9 recognized for heroism - Jane FullertonWASHINGTON -- Forty-two years after they walked through the doors of Central High School, the Little Rock Nine walked across the stage at the White House to receive Congress' highest civilian honor for their "selfless heroism" in the face of racial intolerance. (November 10, 1999)
Firsthand accounts of Central crisis move today's students - Cathy Frye
Most students at Little Rock Central High School can't help but occasionally ponder their school's turbulent past, particularly with frequent visits from reporters and tourists. (September 26, 1999)
Central park - John Brummett
Can you run a high school and a national historic site at the same time and place, commingling teen-age students and cross-country tourists inside the internationally famous Little Rock Central High School? (May 27, 1999)
Central site development hinges on four issues - John Brummett
Development of the Central High national historic site basically comes down to four issues. (May 27, 1999)
British film to revisit crisis at Central High - Jack Schnedler
Hazel Massery drove Elizabeth Eckford home from Central High School in Little Rock on Sunday afternoon. It was no big deal, because the two women have become good friends since September 1997 -- as unlikely as that might seem four decades after their teen-age faces were frozen in a famous photograph epitomizing racial hatred. (May 17, 1999)
Central High crisis diarist dies - Linda S. Caillouet
Another key figure in the Central High School integration has joined the crisis in history. (March 20, 1999)
1998 articles
At long last integration of '54 to go on the map - Dave HughesCHARLESTON -- Tiny Charleston was the first public school district of the old 11-state Confederacy to integrate its public schools after the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown vs. Board of Education ruling in 1954.
Law signed; Central now historic site - Jane Fullerton
WASHINGTON -- Flanked by members of the Little Rock Nine and backed by the voices of a high school choir, President Clinton signed legislation Friday (Nov. 6, 1998) designating Little Rock's Central High School a national historic site.
Bill to honor LR Nine passes in House - Chuck Plunkett
The heroism of nine black teen-agers who were cursed and spat upon as they integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957, would be recognized with Congress' most prestigious civilian award under a bill the House passed Friday (Oct. 9, 1998).
Bill making LR Central historic site clears House - Cynthia Howell
A bill to make Little Rock Central High School part of the National Park Service needs only a presidential signature to become law, after the U.S. House of Representatives approved the measure by unanimous consent.
Little Rock's 'Lost Class' of 1959 recalls turbulent year - Andrew A. Green
David Scruggs was a sports writer for the Central High School Tiger in the fall of 1958. Because he was a senior, he got to cover the football games every Friday night.
Central High moves nearer to National Historic Site list - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
WASHINGTON -- Little Rock Central High School moved closer to becoming a National Historic Site on Tuesday after a Senate committee approved the designation.
Central High fix-up zeal faded with spotlight - Carolyn Salazar
Mary Lee Williams' house embarrasses her. Pale gray paint scrapings cling to the exposed exterior. Williams waited 10 months for volunteers to finish their work, while 4 gallons of paint sat in the corner of her back porch.
Giving 'brave' LR Nine medals gets Senate nod - Susan Roth
WASHINGTON -- The Senate agreed unanimously late Wednesday, July 15, to award Congressional Gold Medals to the nine black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark., who proposed the legislation, hailed the honor as long overdue.
'58 grads gather, recall Central's year of chaos - Susan Roth
Outside Central High School, a hostile crowd protested the admittance of black students who relied on police for protection and to drive them to school.
Gold Medal proposal for Little Rock Nine clears Senate panel - Terry Lemons
WASHINGTON -- The campaign to award Congressional Gold Medals to the nine students who integrated Little Rock's Central High School cleared its first hurdle Thursday, June 25.
1997 articles
A product of the Old South -- Ron Wolfe and Mary Hargrove"I'm angry at the judgments.... We were the products of our time and should not apologize."
-- James Reed Eison, class of '58, Central High School.
Director draws fine line on 'curator' -- When is a curator not a curator? It depends on whom you ask -- at least in the case of Jim Eison.
Articles and pages from 40 years ago
Visit the special commission's 40th Anniversary of Central High website for more information about the historic events of the 1957-58 school year, additional details of 1997's extensive commemorative activities, and more photographs including some special 360-degree panoramic Quicktime® videos.
Copyright ©, 2000, Little Rock Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved.
This document cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of Little Rock Newspapers, Inc.