Alabama tourism offers many opportunities to trace one’s family and stand where famous leaders once stood. From Montgomery to Mobile and Tuskegee to Tuscaloosa, cities all across Alabama have been recognized for their accomplishments and forward thinking in the realm of civil rights. One well-known history making city is Selma.
Situated above the Alabama River, Selma has seen its share of conflict. Beginning with its besiegement during the Civil War, division of the population began to cause strife. Then, 100 years after the Civil War, discrimination’s ugliness was to be born no more. On March 7, 1965 almost 600 African American’s began their march to Montgomery; unfortunately, the governor responded with violence in the form of police officers with clubs, whips and tear gas. Two days later, Dr. King, Jr. tried again but was unsuccessful; eventually the marchers made it on a third try.
When you visit Selma, be sure to go to these important historic Civil Rights Movement locations: The Old Depot Museum which features artifacts from Selma’s history, the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute with its collection of photos and documentation of those who “fought for freedom” in a system determined to discriminate or book a place on the Black Heritage Tour and visit the key places in Civil Rights history.
Selma, Alabama- a city of history and courageous people. Come see these important places that helped shape the South.