Four 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


On September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded in the basement of the 16th Street
Baptist
Church killing four young 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.
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 on November 18, 1977 found guilty of First Degree Murder. Chambliss 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.
Note: Family members sought to have Addie’s coffin moved to a different cemetery, one better maintained than Greenwood Cemetery. When her body was exhumed and the casket opened, it was discovered that her remains were not inside. Both sisters, Sarah Collins Rudolph and Junie Collins Peavy Williams said they do not know what happened to their sister’s body and that they have made efforts to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Addie's body. Also, see 16th Street Baptist Church.
Update February 2020: An investigation was held at Greenwood Cemetery and through the use of underground radar, a casket believed to be that of Addie Mae Collins was located next to the burial site of Carole Robertson. Addie's sister, Sarah Collins Rudolph present during the investigation stated in a report by ABC 33/40 News, “I’m so happy we found where Addie’s grave is located. I am just real happy.”
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PICTURES:
First L: The four girls killed when the church was bombed, public domain. R: *Sarah Collins Rudolph, Addie Mae Collins' sister, stood within feet of Addie when the bomb went off. She lost an eye in the explosion. Junie Collins Peavy Williams, Addie's older sister, experienced years of emotional distress after the death of her sister.
Second L: Grave of Addie Mae Collins. M/L: Grave of Carole Rosamond Robertson. M/R: Grave of Cynthia Wesley. R: Grave of Carol Denise McNair.
Color pictures taken August 4, 2009. *New Picture taken September 15, 2010.
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SOURCES:
Books
Rubel, David. "The Coming Free: The Struggle for African-American Equality." New York: DK Publishing, 2005. Print.
DVD
Spike Lee. "4 Little Girls.", HBO Home Video, 2001. DVD
Lecture
Rudolph, Sarah Collins and Williams, Junie Collins Peavy. The Civil Rights Movement. Dickinson College. Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium, Carlisle, PA. September 15, 2010. Panel Discussion.
Site Visits
Gravesite. Addie Mae Collins - Greenwood Cemetery, Birmingham, AL. 4 Aug. 2009.
Gravesite. Carole Rosamond Robertson - Greenwood Cemetery, Birmingham, AL. 4 Aug. 2009.
Gravesite. Cynthia Dionne Wesley - Greenwood Cemetery, Birmingham, AL. 4 Aug. 2009.
Gravesite. Carol Denise McNair - Elmwood Cemetery, Birmingham, AL. 4 Aug. 2009.
16th Street Baptist Church Tour. Birmingham, AL. 4 Aug. 2009.
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INTERRED:
Addie Mae Collins - Greenwood Cemetery, Messer-Airport Highway and Aviation Highway, Birmingham, AL
35212.
Carole Rosamond Robertson - Greenwood Cemetery, Messer-Airport Highway and Aviation Highway,
Birmingham, AL 35212.
Cynthia Dionne Wesley - Greenwood Cemetery, Messer-Airport Highway and Aviation Highway, Birmingham,
AL 35212.
Carol Denise McNair - Elmwood Cemetery, 600 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Birmingham, AL 35211. Phone:
205-251-3114.
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SUBMITTED: August 14, 2009. Updated September 15, 2010.
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