This Day in History: The Wallace Showdown

Published: June 11, 2008, 6:02 pm

Tags: human rights, black african american, newsweek blogitics, racism, barack obama, politics, society, minorities, history

With all of the debate raging today over whether John McCain cares how long our troops stay in Iraq or if Barack Obama has a birth certificate, it’s easy to lose track of little things like anniversaries. That’s why I’m here to remind you that today is June 11. Back in 1963, it was a day of considerable tension which centered on Presidential Proclamation 3542. On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy issues presidential proclamation 3542, forcing Alabama Governor George Wallace to comply with federal court orders allowing two African-American students to register for the summer session at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The proclamation ordered Wallace and all persons acting in concert with him to cease and desist from obstructing justice. On the morning of June 11, the day the students were expected to register, Wallace stood in front of the University of Alabama campus auditorium flanked by Alabama state troopers while cameras

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