Daisy Gatson Bates Day is a state holiday in Arkansas in honor of Daisy Gatson Bates, a civil rights activist and writer. Bates played a significant role in the African American civil rights movement, particularly during the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.

Daisy Gatson Bates and her husband, L.C. Bates, were instrumental in supporting the nine African American students, known as the "Little Rock Nine," who sought to enroll in Central High School after the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Bates was the president of the Arkansas NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and she played a crucial role in organizing and advocating for the students during this challenging period.

Table of Contents

1. When is Daisy Gatson Bates Day?
2. The History of Daisy Gatson Bates Day?
3. Who was Daisy Gatson Bates?

When is Daisy Gatson Bates Day?

Daisy Gatson Bates Day is observed on the third Monday of February each year in the United States. The following is the list of Daisy Gatson Bates Day.

The History of Daisy Gatson Bates Day?

Daisy Gatson Bates Day is a time to reflect on Daisy Bates's contributions to the civil rights movement and her commitment to fighting for equality and justice. The day serves as a tribute to Bates and the courage of the Little Rock Nine in the face of adversity. The holiday is mainly observed in Arkansas, where her legacy is remembered and celebrated.

Daisy Bates was born on November 11, 1914, and she was elected president of the Arkansas Conference of NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) branches in 1952. She remained active and was on the National Board of the NAACP until 1970. Daisy Bates died of a heart attack in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, on November 4, 1999. A state holiday was named in her honor on the third Monday in February of every year, which is the same day as Washington's Birthday.

Who was Daisy Gatson Bates?

Daisy Gatson Bates (1914–1999) was an American civil rights activist, journalist, and publisher. She played a crucial role in the desegregation of schools in the United States, particularly during the Little Rock Crisis of 1957.

Bates was born in Huttig, Arkansas, and she grew up in a racially segregated society. In 1941, she married L.C. Bates, and the couple became involved in civil rights activism. They operated a newspaper called the Arkansas State Press, which focused on issues of civil rights and the African American community.

Daisy Gatson Bates became a prominent figure during the Little Rock Crisis when nine African American students, known as the "Little Rock Nine," attempted to enroll in the previously all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 had declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, but the resistance to integration was strong.

As president of the Arkansas NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Bates played a pivotal role in supporting and guiding the Little Rock Nine through the challenges they faced. She and her husband faced significant personal risks, including threats and economic hardships, due to their involvement in the civil rights movement.