16th Street Baptist Church bombing | History & Four Girls
The 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing: A Tragic Chapter in Civil Rights History
On September 15, 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama—a pivotal gathering place for African American civil rights activism—was the target of a horrific terrorist attack by Ku Klux Klan members. The bombing claimed the lives of four young girls—Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair—aged between 11 and 14, while injuring 14 others. This act of violence prompted national outrage amid a backdrop of systemic racism and civil unrest that characterized Birmingham, often dubbed “Bombingham” due to the frequent bombings by white supremacists targeting African American communities.
At the time, Birmingham was a hotbed of civil rights protests, with the church hosting key meetings and marches. Despite prior bomb threats aimed at intimidating churchgoers, the congregation continued its struggle for justice. The bomb detonated just before the start of Sunday services, devastating the church and community.
In the ensuing chaos, violence erupted throughout the city, further escalating tensions. Prominent civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered a moving eulogy for three of the girls. After decades of pursuit for justice, convictions were finally secured against some of the perpetrators, with trials occurring as late as 2002. The tragedy has since been recognized in cultural works, including Spike Lee’s documentary, 4 Little Girls, which examines the broader context of racial segregation and violence in America.
Read the complete article here: https://www.britannica.com/event/16th-Street-Baptist-Church-bombing
