KOSCIUSKO, Mississippi — A new historical marker was recently inaugurated in honor of James Meredith, the man who famously challenged racial segregation by integrating the University of Mississippi in 1962, marking a significant moment in the fight against white supremacy.

At 91 years old, Meredith donned a red Ole Miss baseball cap as he observed the unveiling ceremony from inside a pickup truck. The event was attended by approximately 85 individuals, many of whom took the opportunity to capture selfies alongside Meredith and his wife, Judy Alsobrooks Meredith. “This is the most important day of my life,” he described during a short interview, noting the significance of having numerous relatives present, enduring the cold weather for the occasion.

Despite his role in the civil rights movement, Meredith prefers not to be labeled as a civil rights leader. He currently resides in Jackson, Mississippi, after growing up in Kosciusko and spending his formative years on a nearby farm. After completing high school in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1951, he served in the Air Force for nine years before returning to his home state. He spent two years at Jackson State College, now known as Jackson State University, before he famously sued to become the first Black student at the University of Mississippi.

This historic admission triggered violent protests from a white mob, prompting the intervention of U.S. marshals to ensure his safety both on and off the Oxford campus. Since then, the university has recognized his contributions multiple times over the years, and currently, the Black student population at Ole Miss stands at about 10%. Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle commemorated Meredith’s bravery, stating, “He’s a man whose courage profoundly altered the course of history” during the ceremony.

While Meredith was enrolled at the university, his parents and some siblings lived in a modest brick house located in Kosciusko. The newly erected historical marker stands a short distance from the home, adjacent to where marshals would park during his visits in 1962 and 1963.

Florida State University professor Davis Houck, along with his students, partnered with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to create the marker, which also honors Meredith’s legacy by acknowledging his injury during the 1966 “March Against Fear.” This march aimed to promote Black voter registration along the route from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi.

John Meredith, James Meredith’s eldest son and current city council president in Huntsville, Alabama, shared his regrets about being unable to attend the unveiling of multiple historical markers dedicated to his father, which occurred at locations including Ole Miss, Hernando (the site of the 1966 shooting), and the state Capitol. John fondly reminisced about his visits to his grandmother, lovingly referred to as Ms. Roxie, at their family home in Kosciusko, reflecting on how meaningful this event is for his family.

“This feels like a homecoming for me personally, and my father is overjoyed to receive such honor in his hometown,” he expressed, calling it “a great day for the Meredith family.”