This week marks the 55th anniversary of the desegregation of Atlanta schools.

Nine black students were selected via a process to be the first to go to four all-white Atlanta schools. Through no riots and boycotts took place and the students attended without incident, their lives were not easy, as Atlanta Journal-Constitution blogger Maureen Downey reminds us.

The AJC also has gathered some memorable photos from that period and you can see them here.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Board members listen during an Atlanta School Board meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. APS held its first vote on school consolidation plans. (Abbey Cutrer / AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images