Today in history: JFK sends federal marshals to Montgomery
Their mission was to keep order after race riots broke out
May 21, 1961: After race riots broke out in Montgomery, Alabama, President John F. Kennedy sent 300 federal marshals into the city to keep order. JFK sent the marshals in after Alabama Gov. John Patterson said he could not guarantee that law and order would be maintained. The Montgomery riots were connected to the Freedom Rides, in which civil rights activists traveled the south by bus challenging segregation.
Quote of the day
"Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought." -John F. Kennedy
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