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The Sit-In Movement, 1960

Four North Carolina A&T freshmen made history on February 1, 1960 by starting America’s Sit-In Movement at F. W. Woolworth in downtown Greensboro.

Welcome

This selective guide is designed to assist you in finding information from the F. D. Bluford Library on aspects of the Sit-In Movement that began in Greensboro, NC in 1960.     

Colorized Image courtesy of Kevin Scalf, Art Director, Office of University Relations.

The A&T Four

On February 1st, 1960 in Greensboro, North Carolina, four A&T freshmen students, Ezell Blair, Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil & David Richmond walked downtown and “sat - in” at the whites–only lunch counter at Woolworth’s. They refused to leave when denied service and stayed until the store closed.

 

Key Events Timeline for Woolworth Sit-In Movement

 

December 1959  - Joseph McNeil is denied service at a restaurant during the Christmas Season break. 

February 1, 1960 

February 2, 1960 - More than 20 students join in the sit-ins and all are denied service. Local media began covering the movement. The "Student Executive Committee for Justice" was organized. The committee sent a letter to the president of F.W. Woolworth 

February 3, 1960