Elizabeth Eckford Entering Central High School, Little Rock, Arkansas

One of the most iconic images of the civil rights era, this photograph shows 15-year-old Elizabeth Eckford walking alone in front of Little Rock High School while being taunted by a menacing, hateful mob. Eckford was alone because she failed to receive notification that the date for desegregating the school had been postponed by a day. The following morning, all nine students returned together to integrate the previously all white Little Rock Central High School under armed guard.