James Howard Meredith, born on June 25, 1933, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, was a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement. He enlisted in the United States Air Force after completing high school and served from 1951 to 1960. Meredith then attended Jackson State University before applying to the University of Mississippi in 1961, seeking admission as a civil rights statement. Despite facing denial twice, he filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination, leading to a court ruling in his favor. His enrollment in 1962, amidst rioting and violence on campus, marked a significant milestone in the civil rights movement.

Meredith continued his education at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and earned a law degree from Columbia University in 1968. In 1966, he organized a solo march from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi, to protest racial oppression and encourage voter registration. Despite being shot on the second day, the march continued, attracting thousands of participants and leading to over 4,000 black Mississippians registering to vote.

Politically active, Meredith ran for Congress in New York and the US Senate in Mississippi as a Republican. He served as a domestic adviser to Senator Jesse Helms and expressed criticism of the Civil Rights Movement, emphasizing his focus on achieving civil rights rather than personal recognition.

The University of Mississippi celebrated Meredith's historic admission with events in 2002 and 2012, including the dedication of a statue in his honor in 2006. In 2012, he received the Harvard Graduate School of Education 'Medal for Education Impact' and was the convocation speaker. Meredith's life and contributions continue to inspire discussions on civil rights and social justice.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith