On September 30,1962, James Meredith tried to enroll for classes at the University of Mississippi as its first African American student. 

A year earlier, he had been turned away from the school because of his race. He had earned acceptance but when he revealed his race to administrators, he was summarily rejected. 

Because a violent mob threw rocks and set fire to cars on campus, hundreds of federal marshals and thousands of National and Army guards were called to quell rioters. Segregationists from all over the South had come to protest his admission.

Despite the resistance, Meredith went on to be the first Black student to graduate from the school. 

For more, listen to NPR's story here.