Another Sad September Anniversary We Should Never Forget
Four precious young lives cut short by hate.
Denise. Addie Mae. Carole. Cynthia. #Birmingham
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
Three of the girls were 14 years old, the other was 11. Had they not been brutally murdered they’d all be in their 60s today. They most likely would’ve had children and grandchildren by now, maybe even great grandchildren. Who knows what any one of them or their descendants might have gone on to accomplish?
Twenty-two other people were also injured that day. The case remained unsolved until 1971, when Bill Baxley was elected Attorney General of Alabama. He reopened it after requesting the original FBI files on the case and discovering that evidence had been withheld from prosecutors by order of J. Edgar Hoover. The case wasn’t brought to court until November 1977.
19 sticks of dynamite Four little girls 16th Street Baptist Church 10:22 am 1963 #Birmingham #NeverForget
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
The clock at the Sixteenth Baptist Church is still frozen at 10:22 am #Birmingham #1963 #NeverForget
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
Fifty years ago today children were changing their choir robes in the basement when a blast tore through Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
It was an overcast day
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
Grey smoke met grey skies The blast was so loud it was heard across the city
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
The blast happened after Sunday school.
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
I interviewed Christopher McNair for the 45th anniversary of the Birmingham Church bombing for @nprnews He usually lays low on anniv
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
Today the city of Birmingham is remembering the Bombing with solemn ceremonies and 87-year-old McNair will be there with his wife, Maxine
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) September 15, 2013
There’s also a good Twitter recounting of events via NPR’s @TodayIn1963’s timeline:
BREAKING: An explosion has just been reported at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala.
— Today in 1963 (@todayin1963) September 15, 2013
A bomb exploded at the Negro church while Sunday classes were in session, according to reports.
— Today in 1963 (@todayin1963) September 15, 2013
The bomb tore through the church’s rear wall and back steps. The church was frequently used as a meeting for civil rights leaders
— Today in 1963 (@todayin1963) September 15, 2013
Four girls have been killed in the Birmingham church explosion and many others are injured, reports the New York Times.
— Today in 1963 (@todayin1963) September 15, 2013
The girls had just attended Sunday school when the bomb exploded. The subject of today’s class: “The Love That Forgives.”
— Today in 1963 (@todayin1963) September 15, 2013
The one stained glass window that remains is of Christ leading a group of children. The face of Christ is blown out, reports the UPI.
— Today in 1963 (@todayin1963) September 15, 2013
H/T @AdamSerwer
