Civil Rights Four Little Girls Killed in 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing Addie Mae Collins, April 18, 1949 to September 15, 1963 Carole Rosamond Robertson, April 24, 1949 to September 15, 1963 Cynthia Wesley, April 30, 1949 to September 15, 1963 Carol Denise McNair, November 17, 1951 to September 15, 1963 |
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On September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded in the basement of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church killing four little black girls: Addie Mae Collins, Carole Rosamond Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Carol Denise McNair. They were killed as they prepared to lead the church's annual Youth Day service. In the Spike Lee documentary Four Little Girls, the bodies were shown to be badly damaged. A fifth girl, Sarah Collins, Addie Mae's sister was in the basement with the other girls and had just turned her head to look at Addie when she heard a loud noise. She called Addie's name three or four times but did not get an answer. The impact of the explosion shot 27 pieces of glass into Sarah's face causing her to lose her right eye and partially blinding her in her left eye. The bomb was planted by four Ku Klux Klan members: Bobby Frank Cherry, Thomas Edwin Blanton, Herman Frank Cash and Robert Edward Chambliss. Initially only Chambliss was charged. He was tried on murder charges, acquitted and in 1977 found guilty. He was sentenced to several life terms. Bobby Frank Cherry was convicted in 2001 of all four murders and sentenced to life in prison. Thomas Edwin Blanton, Jr. was convicted in 2001 also of all four murders and sentenced to life in prison. Herman Frank Cash died in 1994 without being charged.
PICTURES: Top: The four girls killed when the 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed. Second Row L: Grave of Addie Mae Collins. Second Row R: Grave of Carole Rosamond Robertson. Third Row L: Grave of Cynthia Wesley. Third Row R: Grave of Denise McNair.
SUBMITTED: August 14, 2009. Color pictures taken August 4, 2009.
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Harriet Tubman-Davis Born Araminta Ross c.1820 to March 10, 1913 |
Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in 1849 and served as a conductor of the Underground Railroad moving more than 300 slaves to freedom in the north. She was a spy for the union military, an abolitionist and a nurse.
PICTURES:First Row L: Harriet Tubman. First Row R: Her home located at 108 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021. Second Row L: Front side of headstone. Second Row R: Back side of headstone. Third Row L: Grave of her nephew. Third Row R: Family plot. Video: Harriet Tubman
INTERRED: Fort Hill Cemetery, 19 Fort Street, Auburn, NY 13021. Phone: 315-253-8132. Map of cemetery.
SUBMITTED: August 13, 2008. Pictures taken August 10, 2008.
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Pictures taken and submitted by Percy White unless otherwise indicated. African American History, African American Culture, African American Churches, African American Cemeteries, African American Schools, Places of Interest in African American History |