Birmingham is where the Civil Rights movement was birthed.

In the spring of 1963, young Black people of Birmingham marched out of school to end to racial segregation. Graphic images of police dogs tearing into body parts and high pressure fire hoses battering innocent protesters were flashed around the world, sickening many.

President John F. Kennedy said, “The events in Birmingham… have so increased the cries for equality that no city or state or legislative body can prudently choose to ignore them.” 

The violent events elevated civil rights from a tragic local issue to a critical national issue

It was one of the major turning points in the Civil Rights Movement and the “beginning of the end” of a centuries-long struggle for freedom and equality.

The featured image of the Four Spirits Sculpture commemorates the four girls killed in the 16th St Baptist Church bombing. In Sept 1963, the KKK planted dynamite beneath the steps on the east side of the church, killing four and injuring 22.

Today we commemorate the sacrifices and service made by African Americans on in Birmingham and on Bloody Sunday in Selma. Just a few days prior, nearly 50 members of Congress led by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi visited the city and held a wreath laying ceremony at the 16th Street Baptist Church

After my tour, I was happy to stumble upon a quaint daiquiri bar with a live band – Alabama Sports & Daiquiri I chilled out, enjoyed the live jams and dug into some roasted wings with buffalo sauce.