The Little Rock Crisis in 1957. Nine black students (The Little Rock Nine) had enrolled in Little Rock Central High School and were prevented from attending until President Eisenhower sent The 101st Airborne to ensure that the children could attend school safely. The Troops patrolled the school and escorted the students to each of their classes. The troops worked to protect the black students from multiple attacks including stabbings, dynamite explosions, and someone throwing acid onto one of the students.