James Meredith was born on June 25, 1933 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, where he lived on a farm with his nine siblings. He was not educated on the racism that surrounded him and went to a segregated elementary school and high schools. After graduating from high school, he spent two years at Jackson State University, where he earned good grades. Afterwards, he served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1960, before beginning his fight for a higher education. Following his service in the Air Force, James Meredith applied to the University of Mississippi but was denied twice. He filed suit that the school rejected him based solely on his race. The case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court where he won. When he arrived at Ole Miss