Disappointed by the slow pace of change, James Meredith, who had been the first Black person to integrate the University of Mississippi, starts a solo 220-mile “March Against Fear” from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi on this day in 1966. He calls on Black men to join the march and help register people to vote along the way, seeking to avoid a media event featuring white participants. On the second day, a white man shoots Meredith three times with a shotgun, wounding him and leaving him unable to continue. The shooter is later sentenced to two years in jail.

Over 15,000 Black and white people — with police protection and national media coverage — complete the march on June 26, having registered over 4000 voters on their way. Meredith rejoins the march the day before it reaches Jackson and leads a rally at the capitol.