On May 2 , 1963 , hundreds of Birmingham schoolchildren marched against segregation . Birmingham , Alabama ( CNN ) -- They were met by police who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the students as they walked to school in a peaceful demonstration. Days later , the city canceled graduation and prom for seniors at five black high schools . While graduation was reinstated , prom never was -- until this weekend .
On May 2 , 1963 , hundreds of Birmingham schoolchildren marched against segregation . They were met by police who fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the students as they walked to school in a peaceful demonstration. Days later , the city canceled graduation and prom for seniors at five black high schools . While graduation was reinstated , prom never was -- until this weekend .