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;

Joyce Barrett led a sit-in at age 22, helping to enact a ban on racial discrimination in Maryland

In 1961, Black college students fought segregation. Four years later, their Supreme Court case secured First Amendment rights for future protesters.

Sylvia Copper was a freshman at Southern University when she was suspended for her participation in the historic protest. She knew the risks involved but was steadfast in her decision. Sylvia met with producers on the VERY street where the protest took place.

In “Seven Days of 1961,” we hear about the civil rights movement from those who lived it. Visit sevendaysof1961.usatoday.com to learn more about these pivotal events of 1961.

In 1961, Black college students fought segregation. Four years later, their Supreme Court case secured First Amendment rights for future protesters.
Sylvia Copper was a freshman at Southern University when she was suspended for her participation in the historic protest. She knew the risks involved but was steadfast in her decision. Sylvia met with producers on the VERY street where the protest took place.
In &ldquo;Seven Days of 1961,&rdquo; we hear about the civil rights movement from those who lived it. Visit sevendaysof1961.usatoday.com to learn more about these pivotal events of 1961.

1,500 Black college students challenged police in 1961. The Supreme Court took their side.

Brenda Travis was expelled from high school after serving time in jail for her bus station demonstration. Her Mississippi classmates walked out in support. The students wanted an end to racial violence, segregation and barriers to voting. Their activism helped rally young people across the state to challenge the system.

Brenda Travis tells the story of seeing her classmates surround her, sharing the she felt then that she "wasn't alone." They marched to City Hall, where they were arrested by police carrying billy clubs.

Episode transcript available here.

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.

Brenda Travis was expelled from high school after serving time in jail for her bus station demonstration. Her Mississippi classmates walked out in support. The students wanted an end to racial violence, segregation and barriers to voting. Their activism helped rally young people across the state to challenge the system.
Brenda Travis tells the story of seeing her classmates surround her, sharing the she felt then that she "wasn't alone." They marched to City Hall, where they were arrested by police carrying billy clubs.
<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/black-history/2021/11/23/students-walked-out-protest-injustice-seven-days-1961-podcast/8726214002/">Episode transcript available here</a>.
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>.

More than 100 high school students walk out in protest of Brenda Travis' expulsion for activism

In 1961, Hank Thomas barely escaped death attempting to integrate interstate travel accommodations. The struggle galvanized civil rights activists across the South.

The Freedom Ride movement almost ended in Alabama on May 14, 1961, when Hank Thomas and six other Riders nearly died on a bus that white supremacists set on fire in rural Alabama, where the Ku Klux Klan reigned.

Podcast transcript available here

Hank Thomas shares the story of how the Riders' journey descended into hours of vicious violence in Alabama.

After Hank and his fellow Freedom Riders were viciously attacked, new Riders poured into the South for months, risking everything to force the country to face the hateful actions upholding unlawful, racist practices.

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.

In 1961, Hank Thomas barely escaped death attempting to integrate interstate travel accommodations. The struggle galvanized civil rights activists across the South.
The Freedom Ride movement almost ended in Alabama on May 14, 1961, when Hank Thomas and six other Riders nearly died on a bus that white supremacists set on fire in rural Alabama, where the Ku Klux Klan reigned.
Podcast transcript <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2021/11/16/freedom-riders-sought-progress-kkk-nearly-killed-them/8585324002/">available here</a>
Hank Thomas shares the story of how the Riders' journey descended into hours of vicious violence in Alabama.
After Hank and his fellow Freedom Riders were viciously attacked, new Riders poured into the South for months, risking everything to force the country to face the hateful actions upholding unlawful, racist practices.
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>.

Joyce Barrett led a sit-in at age 22, helping to enact a ban on racial discrimination in Maryland

Seven Days of 1961

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