At the height of the Civil Rights Movement a series of horrific events were perpetrated against Black Americans across the South. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, a devastating act of racial violence, occurred on September 15, 1963, in Birmingham, Alabama. A bomb planted by white supremacists exploded beneath the church steps, killing four young Black American girls attending Sunday school: Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Carol Denise McNair.
The bombing shocked the nation and galvanized support for the Civil Rights Movement. It underscored the brutality of racial hatred and the resistance to desegregation in the South. Despite initial obstacles, justice was eventually served, with four Ku Klux Klan members convicted for their roles in the bombing, although some faced delayed justice.
The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing stands as a tragic reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight for racial equality and justice. It continues to inspire efforts to combat racism and promote inclusivity in American society.
Learn more through the National Park Service
https://www.nps.gov/articles/16thstreetbaptist.htm
The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.
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The 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing