February One

In early 1960 a lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina became the scene of a civil rights action with results that were far reaching. On that afternoon of February 1, 1960, Ezell Blair, Jr., David Richmond, Joseph McNeil, and Franklin McCain, all freshmen at nearby Greensboro Agricultural and Technical College, entered the F. W. Woolworth store on South Elm Street. After purchasing some personal items they proceeded past the stand up/take out only end of the store’s lunch counter that was assigned to "coloreds”. They took seats on counter stools in the all-white section. The four requested service but knew that it would not be forthcoming. In fact, the four expected to be arrested, as had other protesters in similar incidents in Baltimore, Wichita, Oklahoma City, and Durham. Bail money was already in place for that eventuality. There was no confrontation, but also no service.

The four A & T students did not achieve their goal of being served at the lunch counter that day in February, but they had launched a movement far greater than the personalities involved, their role in history was fulfilled that Monday afternoon when they walked out of the Woolworth store.