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NewsWPLG Local 10 – PoliticsSeptember 15, 2026Miami-Dade County

16th Street Baptist Church Marks Bombing Anniversary with a New Visitor Center

Photo: WPLG Local 10 – Politics

The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, marked the 63rd anniversary of the KKK bombing that killed four girls by opening a new visitor center.

Civil RightsHistoryMemorialHistoric Preservation
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Why It Matters

The opening of the new visitor center establishes a permanent site for commemorating the historical event and educating the public about the 1963 bombing.

Key Facts

  • Sixty-three years ago, a dynamite explosion planted by Ku Klux Klan members occurred at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
  • The 1963 bombing resulted in the deaths of four girls preparing for Sunday services.
  • The church marked the anniversary of the bombing with the opening of a new visitor center.

Who's Mentioned

PersonCynthia Wesley“14-year-old victim of the 1963 bombing.”Organization16th Street Baptist Church“Site of the historic 1963 bombing and the newly opened visitor center.”OrganizationKu Klux Klan“Group responsible for planting the dynamite sixty-three years ago”PersonBobby Frank Cherry“Ku Klux Klansman convicted in 2002 for the bombing.”PersonLisa McNair“Sister of bombing victim Denise McNair.”PersonGeorge Wallace“Former Governor of Alabama who pledged segregation forever.”PersonAddie Mae Collins“14-year-old victim of the 1963 bombing.”PersonCarole Robertson“14-year-old victim of the 1963 bombing.”OrganizationEqual Justice Initiative“Organization founded by Bryan Stevenson.”PersonArthur Price Jr.“Pastor of 16th Street Baptist Church.”PersonBryan Stevenson“Founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and guest speaker for the annual memoria”PersonDonald Trump“President who signed an executive order regarding museum exhibits in March 2025.”PersonSarah Collins Rudolph“Survivor of the 1963 bombing and sister of Addie Mae Collins.”PersonRobert Chambliss“Ku Klux Klansman convicted in 1977 for the bombing.”locationAlabama“State where the event took place”PersonDenise McNair“11-year-old victim of the 1963 bombing.”OrganizationNational Park Service“Maintains the civil rights monument area where the church sits.”locationBirmingham“City in Alabama where the church is located.”PersonThomas Blanton“Ku Klux Klansman convicted in 2001 for the bombing.”