The Importance of Black History Month in Birmingham
In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson deemed the second week of February ‘Black History Week.’ The week included both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays — two men highly celebrated within black communities at the time.
Woodson’s hope was to advocate the teachings of African American history within America’s public school systems. Unfortunately, his idea was not met with open arms. It wasn’t until 43 years later, in 1969, that ‘Black History Week’ was proposed to be turned into ‘Black History Month,’ which became officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1976.
Alabama played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, many of the movement’s most memorable events occurred here. For this reason, we believe it’s important to observe Black History Month by remembering our city’s bitter contributions.
Kelly Ingram Park
Kelly Ingram Park is a four-acre park located within the boundaries of Birmingham’s Civil Rights District. In the 1960s, the park served as a stage to dozens of small and large-scale demonstrations for equality.
The most noteable mass lobby to take place in Kelly Ingram Park was the Birmingham Children’s Crusade of 1963. In an effort to shine a light on discrimination, Reverend James Bevel of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference rallied students to participate in a non-violent march across the park’s grounds. As thousands of young children marched through the park singing “We Shall Overcome,” Birmingham police and firemen fought back with attack dogs, fire hoses, and arrests.
The images of the demonstration made national headlines and sparked a public outrage that led to the desegregation of schools and public facilities across America.
Today, Kelly Ingram Park serves as a memorial to the Civil Rights Movement, featuring a stunning fountain and several sculptures that pay homage to its history.
16th Street Baptist Church
Also located within Birmingham’s Civil Rights District is the famous 16th Street Baptist Church. Just four months after the violent police brutality at Kelly Ingram Park, an even more devastating racially-charged crime took place.
On Sunday, September 15th, 1963, four members of the Ku Klux Klan placed 15 sticks of dynamite under the steps of the African American church, killing four young girls and injuring 22 other church members.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered their eulogy, stating:
“These children — unoffending, innocent, and beautiful — were the victims of one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity. And yet they died nobly. They are the martyred heroines of a holy crusade for freedom and human dignity.”
The event sparked worldwide outrage and played a major role in the development of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Donations poured in, contributing to the restoration of the church, and today visitors can take tours of this historic landmark.
The Civil Rights Institute
The violence and inequalities that dominated Birmingham during this time amount to more than just the 16th Street Church bombing and the Children’s Crusade of 1963. Discrimination filtered into all aspects of the city’s culture, from segregated schools to separate drinking fountains.
In 1992, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute opened with the mission to “enlighten each generation about civil and human rights by exploring our common past and working together in the present to build a better future.”
Today, the museum is a national resource for researchers and educators, and the importance of Black history month is apparent in its heart-wrenching exhibits. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute serves as an important reminder of just how far we have come and how much further we have to go.
Living in Birmingham, Alabama
Even though Birmingham’s history is riddled with devastation, it has become a highly prominent place to live. In fact, the city was recently named one of the top travel destinations by both Travel Channel and Lonely Planet. Each year, more and more people relocate to this historically rich city, and its reputation is slowly changing for the better.
Are you interested in moving to Birmingham? Our real estate agents understand this city and its sense of community. Let ARC Realty help you find your forever home!
