50th Anniversary of the 16th street Baptist Church Bombing

The nation’s leaders awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the four girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley were 14 years old that day in 1963 when a group of white men planted a bomb in their church. Denise McNair was 11. TheVillageCelebration traveled to 16th Baptist Church to talk with members about the 50th anniversary of the bombing.

The city of Birmingham, Alabama is preparing to commemorate 50 years of involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Ceremonies and events will be marked during 2013. TheVillage traveled to this southern city that played a pivotal role during the tumultuous 60’s for a look at race relations today.