On May 2 , 1963 , thousands of Birmingham schoolchildren marched against segregation . Images of children being hosed and chased by police dogs caused national outrage . Only a fraction of students from the black high schools participated . Days later , the city suspended graduation and commencement for seniors at five black high schools . While graduation was reinstated , prom never was -- until this year .
On May 2 , 1963 , thousands of Birmingham schoolchildren marched against segregation . Images of children being hosed and chased by police dogs caused national outrage . Days later , the city suspended graduation and commencement for seniors at five black high schools . While graduation was reinstated , prom never was -- until this year .