On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation in a televised address.

            “Good evening, my fellow citizens.

This afternoon, following a series of threats and defiant statements, the presence of Alabama National Guardsmen was required on the University of Alabama to carry out the final and unequivocal order of the United States District Court of the Northern District of Alabama. That order called for the admission of two clearly qualified young Alabama residents who happened to have been born Negro.”

Back on January 14, of 1963, during his inauguration speech, Alabama Governor George Wallace spoke with full conviction when he stated, “segregation now, segregation tomorrow and segregation forever”.

It was James Hood and Vivian Malone who President Kennedy was referring to in his speech.