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)
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| Established | November 1992 |
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| 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 a special museum and research center. It is located in Birmingham, Alabama. This museum shows the important events of the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time in the 1950s and 1960s when people fought for equal rights.
The museum focuses on the 1963 Birmingham campaign. This included the brave Children's Crusade. The Institute is part of the Birmingham Civil Rights District. This area also has the historic 16th Street Baptist Church. You can also find Kelly Ingram Park and the Carver Theatre there. The museum first opened in November 1992. Over 25,000 people visited in its first week.
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Exploring the Exhibits
The Institute offers a journey through history. It helps visitors learn from the past. This helps them create a better future. The main exhibits guide you through Birmingham's role in the Civil Rights Movement. They also show human rights struggles around the world.
The museum uses many types of media. These include videos, photos, and sounds. They tell the story of African-American life. They also show the fight for civil rights. One special exhibit is the Oral History Project. It shares stories from people who were part of the movement. You can hear their voices and experiences.
The museum is also connected to the Smithsonian Affiliations program. This means it can borrow special items from the Smithsonian Institution. It helps the museum bring more history to its visitors.
Important Laws and Honors
The museum is connected to important laws and honors. On May 24, 2013, President Barack Obama signed a special law. This law gave the Congressional Gold Medal to four young girls. Their names were Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley. They lost their lives 50 years earlier. This happened in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
The Congressional Gold Medal is a very high honor. It was given to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The museum can display it or lend it to other museums. This helps more people remember these brave girls.
Later, on January 12, 2017, President Obama made another important decision. He used an executive order to create the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. This monument includes parts of the Civil Rights District. It helps protect and honor these historic places.
Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute also gives out an award. It is called the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award. This award honors people who have worked for human rights.
In 2018, Angela Davis was chosen to receive this award. However, the museum later changed its mind. They said she did not meet all the award's requirements. Later, the museum decided to give her the award after all. They said they should have talked more about it first.
See also
