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The Clinton Twelve

City: Clinton, TN
Region: East Tennessee
Subregion: Knoxville & Middle East

Twelve young Tennesseans, in August 27, 1956, walked into the history books while the tiny town of Clinton watched.

Upon federal court order, Clinton High School was forced to be first to integrate among Tennessee public schools.

Each school day morning, the "Clinton 12" walked together down Broad Street from Foley HIll to Clinton High. They were the first students to desegregate a state-supported high school in the south. They also gave Clinton High School the honor of graduating the first black student from a southern public high school.

Before their tumultuous transfer to all-white Clinton High, the students attended Green McAdoo School, for African-Americans.

In 2006, Green McAdoo was revived as a cultural center and museum, dedicated to preserving the bravery and legacy of the Clinton 12 and all they represented. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, the center recognizes the Clinton 12 with individual life-sized bronze statues.

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