Stand in the Schoolhouse Door

The Stand in the Schoolhouse Door took place at Foster Auditorium at the University of Alabama on June 11, 1963. In a symbolic attempt to keep his inaugural promise of "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever" and stop the desegregation of schools, Alabama governor George Wallace stood at the door of the auditorium to block two African American students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, from registering. President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 11111, federalizing the Alabama National Guard, and Guard General Henry V. Graham commanded Wallace to step aside. Wallace eventually moved, and Malone and Hood completed their registration.