Alabama is known as the home of the civil rights movement. Many key events took place between the 1950s and 1960s, including this gruesome attack.

Although Alabama is known as the home of the civil rights movement, there was one major incident that was the catalyst to giving the movement national attention. The University of Alabama's Black Faculty & Staff Association was sure to acknowledge the 58th anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church that killed 4 little girls in Birmingham, Alabama.

Addie Mae Collins, Denise Mcnair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley were the names acknowledged in a post on the BFSA's Instagram page.

"The deaths provoked national outrage, and the following summer the United States Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The bombing is marked in history as a critical and pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement," read the caption in the post. 

 

"The 16th street bombing and the incidents immediately following put the fight for civil rights on the national stage. The media coverage of the protest highlighted the inhumane treatment of nonviolent protesters. Advocates from all over the world joined in our fight. 4 victims 4 minutes." Said Mr. Chad L. Jackson, BFSA President.

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According to the National Park Service, four men were named as primary suspects for the bombing - Thomas Blanton, Robert Chambliss, Bobby Frank Cherry, and Herman Cash. All four men were members of Birmingham's Cahaba River Group, a splinter group of the Eastview Klavern #13 chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. Eastview Klavern #13 was considered one of the most violent groups in the South.

If you'd like to learn more about the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing, click here.

 

 

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