James Meredith:
American Civil Rights Icon, James Meredith Was Born On This Date In Kosciusko, MS.
After Graduating High School, Meredith Enlisted In The Air Force. He Served From 1951 to 1960.
He Returned To Mississippi And Enrolled At Jackson State University For Two Years.
When He First Applied For Admission To The University Of Mississippi, His Application Stayed On File For 14 Months, Before The U.S. Supreme Court Ordered The School To Admit Him.
After Being Barred From Entering The University On September 20, Meredith Was Finally Allowed Entrance On October 1, 1962, Becoming The First Black Student To Be Enrolled At The University Of Mississippi.. He Was 29 At The Time. He Graduated August 18, 1963, With A Degree In History.
Meredith Furthered His Education After Leaving "Ole Miss." He Attended The University Of Ibdaan In Nigeria (1964-65) And Columbia University (1966-68), Where He Received His Law Degree.
In 1966 He Led The March Against Fear, From Memphis, Tenesee To Jackson, MS And Was Wounded By A Sniper, Aubrey Norvell, On June 6. He Has Also Authored Several Books, Including Three Years In Mississippi, A Memoir Of His Days At "Ole Miss."
While He Is Considered On Of The Most Important Figures In The Civil Rights Movement, Meredith He Ademately Down-plays That Title.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
