Mary Beth Tinker, 13, wears a black armband to Warren Harding Junior High; three students suspended for refusing to remove protest symbols

On December 16, 1965, 13-year-old Mary Beth Tinker wore a black armband to Warren Harding Junior High School in Des Moines. Christopher Eckhardt, 16, wore one to Theodore Roosevelt High School. Both were suspended when they refused to remove the armbands. John Tinker, 15, wore his to North High School on December 17 and was also suspended. The three students were told they could return when they agreed to come without armbands. No disruption of school activities was reported; teachers noted that other students had discussed the armbands but that classes had continued normally.