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1 The beginnings

On March 25, 1931, a skirmish between black and white men broke out on a Southern Railroad freight train after a white man stepped on a black man, Haywood Patterson. All but one white man, Orville Gilley, were forced off .When the train stopped in Paint Rock, Alabama, the nine blacks were arrested on charges of assault. Two women dressed in boys clothing, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates, were found hiding on the freight train as well. They were all taken to Scottsboro, Alabama, the Jackson County seat. The two women agreed to testify against the boys on a rape charge.

After a lynch mob gathered, the Alabama Governor, Benjamin Meeks Mille , was forced to call the National GuardThe United States National Guard is a significant component of the United States armed forces military reserve. The National Guard draws from state guard forces, but should not be confused with the reserves of the various services which serve primarily as to protect the jail. On March 30March 30 is the 89th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (90th in Leap years). There are 276 days remaining. Events 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella sign a decree aimed at expelling all Jews from Spain unless they convert to Roman Catholicism. 1533 Thomath, the Scottsboro Boys were indicted by a grand juryA grand jury is a type of common law jury; responsible for investigating alleged crimes, examining evidence, and issuing indictments. The grand jury can compel witnesses to testify. During the proceeding, the defendant and his or her counsel are generally and in AprilApril is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 30 days. Derived from the Latin aprilis either from the Latin word aperire which means "to open", probably referring to growing plants in spring, or from the Etruscan name Apru for Aphr all were convicted and sentenced to death. In April, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the International Labor Defense both took up the case, but the NAACP dropped the case in JanuaryJanuary is the first month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, and has 31 days. It is named for Janus, the Roman god of doors and gateways. The original Roman calendar consisted of 10 months (304 days). The Romans originally considered winter a monthle, 19321932 is the leap year starting on Friday. see link for calendar) Events January-February January 3 British arrest and intern Mohandas Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel January 8 In Britain the Archbishop of Canterbury forbids church remarriage of divorcees Jan. Despite the fact that a letter surfaced in which Ruby Bates denied that she was raped, the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed the convictions of seven of the Boys in March, 1932.