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Racial riot at University of Georgia

The University of Georgia desegregation riot was an incident of mob violence by proponents of racial segregation on January 11, 1961.

The University of Georgia desegregation riot was an incident of mob violence by proponents of racial segregation on January 11, 1961. The riot was caused by segregationists' protest over the desegregation of the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, Georgia following the enrollment of Hamilton E. Holmes and Charlayne Hunter, two African American students. The two had been admitted to the school several days earlier following a lengthy application process that led to a court order mandating that the university accept them. On January 11, a group of approximately 1,000 people (including members of the Ku Klux Klan) conducted a riot outside of Hunter's dormitory.

Historical Significance

The University of Georgia desegregation riot was an incident of mob violence by proponents of racial segregation on January 11, 1961.

Events Before

  1. Fausto Coppi dies

    Fausto Coppi cyclist, known for italian cyclist, died on 1960-01-02. Angelo Fausto Coppi was an Italian cyclist, the dominant international cyclist of the years after the Second World War.

  2. A photograph of a 13-year-old South African boy in a torn vest working in a mine is published in the Daily Herald; emplo

    A photograph of a 13-year-old South African boy in a torn vest working in a mine is published in the Daily Herald; employing a 'native' under 18 in the mines is illegal under the Native Labour Regulation Act

  3. LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts

    LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts

  4. Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California

    Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California

  5. American songwriter Adolph Green (45) weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman (24) in N

    American songwriter Adolph Green (45) weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman (24) in NYC, until his death in 2002

Events After

  1. Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance

    Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance

  2. John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7

    John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, astronaut, businessman, and politician.

  3. Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors

    Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors' 169-147 win over the NY Knicks in Hershey; 36-of-63 from the field, 28-of-32 from the free-throw line

  4. Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

    Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

  5. Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

    Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

More from the 1960s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 11, 1961?
The University of Georgia desegregation riot was an incident of mob violence by proponents of racial segregation on January 11, 1961. The riot was caused by segregationists' protest over the desegregation of the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, Georgia following the enrollment of Hamilton E. Holmes and Charlayne Hunter, two African American students.
Why is Racial riot at University of Georgia significant?
The University of Georgia desegregation riot was an incident of mob violence by proponents of racial segregation on January 11, 1961.

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