Standing in the Schoolhouse Door

The Standing in the Schoolhouse Door took place at the Foster Auditorium at the University of Alabama on June 11, 1963. George Wallace was the Democratic Governor of Alabama. He wanted to keep his promise of "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever." His plan was to stop the desegregation of schools so he stood at the door of the auditorium to try and block the entry of two African American students. In response, President John F Kennedy issued Executive Order 11111. This was an order that federalized the Alabama National Guard to command Wallace to step aside. Wallace then spoke further but eventually moved out of the way. The incident appeared nation wide.