Timeline Description: Ruby Bridges is best known for being the first black child to attend an all-white school. She didn't stop there, though. Ruby went on to work actively in the Civil Rights Movement, and her contribution to society lives on. This is a timeline of her life.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1954 | Ruby is born Ruby Bridges was born in Mississippi, on a farm where her parents worked. |
| 1958 | Ruby's family moves Ruby's parents moved the family to New Orleans. It was their hope that they would receive a better life in the city. |
| 1960 | Ruby takes a special test The board of education put out a test for black children, to measure whether or not they could attend an all-white school. Ruby was one of only six kids in New Orleans who passed the test. |
| 1960 | Ruby goes to a new school That fall, when school started, Ruby was the first black child in the south to attend an all-white school. She was escorted to the doors by federal marshals. |
| 1964 | She is featured by Norman Rockwell Norman Rockwell was a famous artist in the 60's. He was inspired by Ruby's story, and so he painted "The Problem We All Must Live With" in her honor. |
| 1965 | Life goes on Ruby's second year at school went more smoothly than the first, but there was still racism toward her. One child refused to be her friend because Ruby was black. |
| 1984 | Ruby gets married Ruby went on to finish school and get married. She lived a happy life, not sure why she had experienced the things she had. |
| 1993 | A children's book in her honor Ruby had seen a child psychologist while attending the all-white school. Years later he published a children's book about her. |
| 1995 | Ruby is reunited with her past teacher While on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Ruby was reunited with a former teacher at the all-white school. Mrs. Henry was the only teacher who would work with Ruby that first year. |
| 1995 | A biography is published A biography of Ruby's life was put out. It was titled The Story of Ruby Bridges. |
| 1998 | A film about her Disney produced a movie about Ruby and her courageous story. It aired for the first time in 1998 as Ruby Bridges. |
| 1999 | She forms a foundation Ruby established the Ruby Bridges Foundation. It promotes the values of tolerance and acceptance for everyone. |
| 2000 | Ruby is made an honorary deputy Ruby was honored by the US Marshals and made an honorary deputy for her bravery as a child. |
| 2007 | An exhibit in her honor The Children's Museum of Indianapolis unveiled a new exhibit, with Ruby Bridges as one of the centerpieces. Along with Ruby, Anne Frank and Ryan White were featured. |
| 2012 | Ruby is honored Ruby has received many honors during her lifetime, including meeting the president and having other paintings in her honor. In 2012 she was given an honorary degree from Tulane University. Her work for the acceptance of all people goes on today, and she will forever be remembered for her bravery. |