STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

This Day in Black History: March 1, 1890

The Supreme Court of California began allowing Black students to enroll in public schools on March 1, 1890.

(Photo: Public Domain)

Thanks to one father's fight, African-Americans in Visalia, California, were able to enroll in all public schools as of March 1, 1890.

Before this, Visalia, located 190 miles north of Los Angeles and 230 miles southeast of San Francisco, only admitted white students in its public schools.

When Edmond Wysinger brought his son, Arthur, to enroll in Visalia High School on Oct. 1, 1888, he was sent away by a teacher who told him to take his son to a colored school.

Wysinger hired attorneys and filed a writ of mandate on behalf of his son, on Oct. 2, 1888, challenging the public institution for denying his son an education based on race, color or nationality.

It was first denied, and he then filed an appeal to the Supreme Court of California, who then reversed the order and granted his admission into the school. 

BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 
Get ready for the BET Experience, featuring Beyoncé, Snoop DoggR. Kelly, Erykah BaduKendrick Lamar and many more. Go here for more details and info on how to buy tickets.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.