HispanicBusiness

Sitting down at a stool. Today, it doesn't sound so radical.

But on Feb. 1, 1960 -- exactly half a century ago -- when four black college freshmen sat at a "whites only" lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina and demanded to be served, they inadvertently laid the groundwork for a nationwide movement.

Today, the event was commemorated with the opening of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, located where the cafeteria in the Woolworth's retail store used to be, with the four stools still in tact.

Three of the four men are still alive, and spoke today at the event.

One of them, Ezell Blair, admitted that he initially didn't want to join Joseph MacNeil, Franklin McCain and David Richmond. (Richmond died years ago.)

"I was worried about getting hurt," he said. Blair added that he complained to his parents in the hopes they would prohibit him from participating. To his shock, they encouraged him. "They went along with Frank and Joe! 'You go down tomorrow; I'll say a blessing for you. Oh, by the way, I want you to dress like you're going to church.'"

He protested to his mother, saying, "Supposed I get killed?"

And she responded, "well, you be dressed to kill."

Within four days, the cafeteria was crammed with more than 300 students. A bomb scare eventually cleared the cafeteria in the Woolworth's retail store, but within two months, 54 sit-ins were happening around the country, according to the Associated Press.