Historical Events tagged with "Alabama"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Bobby Frank Cherry Convicted in Church Bombing Case

May 22nd, 2002 22 years ago

A jury in Birmingham, Alabama, found Bobby Frank Cherry guilty of the 1963 murder of four girls in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. The bombing, carried out by members of the Ku Klux Klan, targeted the church during a Sunday service, resulting in the tragic deaths of Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Addie Mae Collins, all aged 14, and Cynthia Wesley, aged 11. This verdict marked an important moment in the long pursuit of justice for the victims' families.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

King Leads Historic Selma to Montgomery March

March 21st, 1965 59 years ago

Martin Luther King Jr. led a diverse group of 3,200 marchers from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, advocating for voting rights. This march began on March 21, 1965, and took place under the watchful eyes of law enforcement. Participants aimed to draw attention to the ongoing struggle for African American voting rights and were motivated by recent events that highlighted racial inequality. The march aimed to culminate in a rally at the Alabama State Capitol.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Open Letter from Jail

April 16th, 1963 61 years ago

While incarcerated in Birmingham, Alabama, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. penned an open letter addressing criticisms of his nonviolent protests against racial segregation. The letter, which became known as 'The Negro Is Your Brother,' outlined the moral imperative for action against injustice and highlighted the interconnectedness of all people in the struggle for equality. It was a clarion call for justice and rallied supporters to the civil rights cause amid a tense climate of segregation and resistance in the South.

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Education & Academia

Tuskegee Institute Founded in Alabama

July 4th, 1881 143 years ago

The Tuskegee Institute opened in Alabama, founded by Booker T. Washington, aiming to provide education to African Americans. Located in Tuskegee, it emphasized vocational training and agricultural education. This initiative sought to uplift the black community in the post-Civil War South, promoting self-sufficiency and economic independence through education.

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Politics & Government

Jefferson Davis Elected Provisional President of Confederacy

February 9th, 1861 164 years ago

On February 9, 1861, Jefferson Davis was elected as the Provisional President of the Confederate States of America by the Provisional Confederate Congress in Montgomery, Alabama. This inaugural election marked a significant moment in the formation of the Confederacy, reflecting the growing divide between the Northern and Southern states of America over issues such as states' rights and slavery. Davis, a former U.S. Senator from Mississippi and Secretary of War, was chosen for his political experience and leadership qualities, setting the stage for the Confederacy's government structure and military organization.

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Politics & Government

Delegates Create Confederate States in Montgomery

February 4th, 1861 164 years ago

Delegates from six southern states gathered in Montgomery, Alabama, to begin drafting the constitution for the Confederate States of America. The meeting was a pivotal moment in the secessionist movement, reflecting the growing divide between the North and South over issues such as slavery and states' rights. The attendees aimed to establish a new government separate from the United States, highlighting their commitment to preserving their social and economic order.

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Politics & Government

Creek Indians Cede Lands in Georgia

February 12th, 1825 200 years ago

The Creek Nation ceded their remaining lands in Georgia to the United States government through the Treaty of Indian Springs. This agreement, signed by Chief William McIntosh and U.S. officials, resulted in the Creek's forced migration westward. Motivated by U.S. expansion and economic pressures, this treaty exemplified the diminishing land rights of Native Americans in the Southeast.

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