Tuskegee, Alabama, is a short drive east of Montgomery. It has played an important part in the Civil Rights movement as the subject of notable civil rights cases such as Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960) and Lee vs Macon County. The city was the birthplace of Rosa Parks and is the home of the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site and Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.
Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Tuskegee, Alabama, pays homage to the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American pilots who fought in World War II. They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and 447th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Force.
Tuskegee University is a historically black university founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington. It’s located in Tuskegee, Alabama. The school became a National Historic Site as well as a National Historic Landmark in 1965 for its significance in American history, its role in higher education for African-Americans, and the quality of its academic programs.
If asked to name the most historic places in the county, not many people would guess Court Square in Montgomery, Alabama. It was the center of Southern economic and political power in the 19th century, and the telegram that started the Civil War was sent from the square. It was also ground zero for the Civil Rights movement.
Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church is a living Civil Rights landmark in the heart of Montgomery, Alabama.
Montgomery, Alabama, was the first capital of the Confederate States of America, so naturally the First White House of the Confederacy was also located there. Admission is free and it’s open daily except Sundays.
The Alabama State Capitol is located in Montgomery, which is the fifth capital of Alabama after moving there in 1846 from Tuscaloosa. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark on December 19, 1960.
Montgomery, Alabama, is the location of several Civil Rights landmarks from the 1950s and 60s. Some of the most important events in the Civil Rights movement took place there. I’ve listed them here in chronological order.
Montgomery is the capital of Alabama and has a surprising amount of things to see and do. Whether you’re on the Civil Rights trail or Civil War trail, or just looking for some Southern culture, Montgomery makes a great choice.
The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail commemorates the Voting Rights March of 1965. The 54 mile march, which took place between March 21-25 of that year, was instrumental in Congress passing the Voting Rights Act. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965.