Birmingham Civil Rights Institute facts for kids
The 16th Street Baptist Church section of the Milestone exhibition gallery in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, in Birmingham, Alabama. A bomb went off at the church on September 15, 1963. -- (HABS photo)
|
|
| Established | November 1992 |
|---|---|
| Location | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Type | History museum |
| Collection size | Multimedia exhibitions on the Civil Rights Movement and African-American history |
| Visitors | Over 25,000 in its first week |
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is an important museum and learning center in Birmingham, Alabama. It teaches visitors about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. This includes big events like the 1963 Birmingham campaign and the Children's Crusade.
The Institute is in the Birmingham Civil Rights District. This area also has famous places like the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park. The museum first opened in November 1992. More than 25,000 people visited it in its first week!
Contents
Exploring the Museum's Exhibits
The Institute offers a special journey through history. It shows how past lessons can help us build a better future. The main exhibits take you through Birmingham's key role in the Civil Rights Movement. They also cover the wider fight for human rights.
The museum uses many different ways to tell these stories. You can see videos, photos, and listen to recordings. One special part is the Oral History Project. Here, you can hear people who were part of the Civil Rights Movement share their own experiences. The museum is also connected to the Smithsonian Affiliations program. This means it can borrow special items and host traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian.
Important Laws and Honors
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute has been part of important historical moments. On May 24, 2013, President Barack Obama signed a law. This law gave the Congressional Gold Medal to four young girls. These girls were Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley. They lost their lives 50 years earlier in the tragic 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. The gold medal was given to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. It is now displayed there for everyone to see.
Later, on January 12, 2017, President Obama made part of the Civil Rights District a national monument. It is now called the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. This helps protect these important historical sites.
Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award
The Institute gives out the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award. This award honors people who have worked hard for human rights. In 2018, Angela Davis was chosen to receive this award. However, the Institute first decided not to give it to her. They later changed their minds and decided she should receive the award after all.
See also
