Final answer:
The historical event described is Massive Resistance, which refers to the strategies employed by Southern whites to prevent school integration. Capitol buildings in Alabama and North Carolina flew their flags alongside the Confederate flag in opposition to desegregation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The historical event described in the statement is Massive Resistance. This term refers to the various strategies employed by Southern whites to prevent school integration during the Civil Rights Movement. One of the strategies included passing laws mandating the closure of schools if they were forced to integrate. This happened in states like Alabama and North Carolina, where capitol buildings flew their flags alongside the Confederate flag to show their opposition to desegregation.