On this day, April 9, in 1947

The Journey of Reconciliation began, which later became the model for the famous Freedom Rides. The Journey of Reconciliation consisted of 16 men, 8 black and 8 white, who traveled in an integrated fashion by bus and train from Washington DC to Louisville, Kentucky. This journey was an organized stand against the violent and racist segregationist policies of the South. It was also boldly testing a recent Supreme Court decision banning racial segregation in interstate travel. During the rides, 12 of the men were arrested, and although the NAACP had promised to represent them, they unexpectedly backed out.