Washington | December 7, 2007 - Delaware Congressman Mike Castle joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressmen John Lewis and Vic Snyder to recognize the desegregation of the Little Rock Central High School.  The Little Rock Nine was a group of African-American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957.  These students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by the Arkansas Governor; however, after intervention from President Dwight Eisenhower, the students were able to attend Little Rock Central High School.  After 50 years, this event is one of the most noted in the history of the civil rights movement.  To commemorate the 50th anniversary of this event, the U.S. Mint has issued a silver dollar.

"This was a significant event in history not only for Arkansas or the African-American community but the entire nation.  The lessons we learned as a country during that time were extremely valuable, and they still need to be embraced today.  I am pleased to see the U.S. Mint marking this historic event to not only honor those nine students for their bravery and determination but also to ensure that its history lives on for generations to come," said Rep. Castle.

The coin features Little Rock Central High School as it looked in 1957 and the footsteps of the nine African-American students who desegregated the school under the protection of the 101st Airborne.  The coins are available through the U.S. Mint until December 14th. 

Under current law, the U.S. Mint can only produce two commemorative coins each year.  The other coin minted this year was to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia.