On February 1, 1960, four college students challenged the segregation laws in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Greensboro Four sat down at the lunch counter of a Woolworth store, which was designated as "whites only." When they asked to be served, the staff refused. They were asked to leave, but they refused and waited patiently until the store closed.

The next day, the Greensboro Four returned to the same lunch counter, this time with 20 other black college students. The same thing happened. In the following days, despite harassment from whites, the Greensboro Four kept returning to the store with an ever-increasing number of companions. On July 25, 1960, the Woolworth lunch counter finally gave in and served the Greensboro Four.

The "sit-in," which was featured on national media, led to similar actions in other cities. It also encouraged students to get involved in the civil rights movement.

In 1961, black and white students rode buses through the South in "freedom rides" to challenge the segregation laws on interstate transportation. Several participants were arrested and attacked, until federal troops were ordered to protect them. Eventually, segregation on interstate travel was banned.