May 24, 1961: When Freedom Rode Into Mississippi
On May 24, 1961, 27 Freedom Riders were arrested at the Jackson Greyhound bus station for 'disturbing the peace' — testing a federal ruling against segregated interstate bus travel. The mass arrests forced national attention on the gap between federal law and Southern enforcement, and became a turning point in the civil rights movement.
Also on this date
- 1856 John Brown's Pottawatomie Massacre (May 24, 1856)
- 1993 Cardinal Posadas Assassinated at Guadalajara Airport (May 24, 1993)
- 1940 NKVD Assassination Attempt on Trotsky in Mexico City (May 24, 1940)