On Nov. 11, 1961, hundreds of Black and white college students from across the Northeast flocked to Baltimore and Annapolis to conduct sit-ins, aiming to draw attention to segregated restaurants along one of the nation’s most popular travel routes. Frustrated by what they saw as a tepid federal response to the discrimination common along U.S. Route 40 in Maryland, they fanned across the region, hopping from restaurant to restaurant, angering white patrons and needling business owners who refused change. 

Joyce Barrett tells her story of being arrested during a sit-in at the Barnes' Drive-in in Annapolis, MD.

The “Seven Days of 1961” podcast features stories of resistance, told by the people who lived it. Learn more about the heroic civil rights activists and the danger they faced at 7daysof1961.usatoday.com.  

On Nov. 11, 1961, hundreds of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2021/11/11/racism-along-maryland-road-rampant-1961-students-took-action/8438672002/">Black and white college students</a>&nbsp;from across the Northeast flocked to Baltimore and Annapolis to conduct sit-ins, aiming to draw attention to&nbsp;segregated restaurants&nbsp;along one of the nation&rsquo;s most popular travel routes. Frustrated by what they saw as a tepid federal response to the discrimination common along U.S. Route 40 in Maryland, they fanned across the region, hopping from restaurant to restaurant, angering white patrons and needling business owners who refused change.&nbsp;
Joyce Barrett tells her story of being arrested during a sit-in at the Barnes' Drive-in in Annapolis, MD.
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/10/19/hear-activists-who-changed-history-seven-days-1961-podcast/8511587002/">&ldquo;Seven&nbsp;Days of 1961&rdquo;&nbsp;</a>podcast features stories of resistance, told by the people who lived it. Learn more about the heroic civil rights activists and the danger they faced at <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2021/09/21/civil-rights-how-anti-racism-protesters-forced-change-1961/8373401002/">7daysof1961.usatoday.com</a>. &nbsp;

Hear history from the people who made it on the Seven Days of 1961 podcast. Activists share what happened when they challenged white supremacy, facing violence and arrest.

Hear history from the people who made it on the Seven Days of 1961 podcast. Activists share what happened when they challenged white supremacy, facing violence and arrest.

Hear history from the people who made it.

Seven Days of 1961

Firsthand narratives from activists whose courageous actions 60 years ago sparked pivotal civil rights battles against school and business segregation, police brutality and voting exclusion. Many of them were high school or college students risking their lives and futures. On the “Seven Days of 1961” podcast, you’ll hear history from the activists who made it. Read more in-depth stories about these protests at sevendaysof1961.usatoday.com. 

Firsthand narratives from activists whose courageous actions 60 years ago sparked pivotal civil rights battles against school and business segregation, police brutality and voting exclusion. Many of them were high school or college students risking their lives and futures. On the &ldquo;Seven Days of 1961&rdquo; podcast, you&rsquo;ll hear history from the activists who made it. Read more in-depth stories about these protests at <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2021/09/21/civil-rights-how-anti-racism-protesters-forced-change-1961/8373401002/">sevendaysof1961.usatoday.com</a>.&nbsp;

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