50th Anniversary of Central High School with Little Rock Nine

Just days after the Clinton Center welcomed its 1 millionth visitor, President Clinton joined the Little Rock Nine to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the integration of Central High School with a viewing of an original copy of the Emancipation Proclamation at the Center. In 1957, the first African Americans -- now known as the Little Rock Nine -- enrolled at Central High School, where they were met with violence and had to be escorted into school by the National Guard. Over the last 30 years, President Clinton has developed a deep friendship with the Little Rock Nine, and as President he was authorized by Congress to award the Little Rock Nine the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in a special White House ceremony.