Verify and try again. The Robertsons made funeral arrangements before learning that the other families were planning a combined service with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, delivering the eulogy. Four girls, Addie Mae Collins (age 14), Denise McNair (age 11), Carole Robertson (age 14), and Cynthia Wesley (age 14), were killed in the bomb blast. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. The case remained dormant until 1971, when Attorney General William Baxley reopened it. To honor the girls sacrifice and the powerful impact it had on the civil rights movement, their names were inscribed on the circular black granite table of theCivil Rights Memorialacross the street from the SPLCs headquarters in Montgomery. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. The family had had plans to move her body because Greenwood Cemetary had become run down and was a playground for vandals. Fifteen sticks of dynamite were planted in the church basement, underneath what turned out to be the girls restroom. Highlighted vocabulary will appear in both printed versions. She also played baseball and was a member of the Brownies. The Sixteenth Street bombing, perhaps more than any other event of the period, brought national attention to the evil of racism. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Try again later. George Wallace, however, repeated his call that the feds buried evidence in bombings because it pointed to "the wrong people" -- meaning civil rights groups. sites. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, and Cynthia Wesley were interred during joint funeral attended by over 8,000 mourners. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. On September 15, 1963, a bomb explodes during Sunday morning services in the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls: Addie Mae Collins (14), Cynthia Wesley (14), Carole Robertson (14) and Carol Denise McNair (11). Missing remains of 1963 church bombing victim believed to be found In 1992, nearly 30 years after the bombing, the Collins family decided to move Addie Mae's remains to Elmwood Cemetery. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. (Tom Self/ Birmingham News), Original caption: The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing kills four girls and also leaves a scene of devastation. Now lunch counters were no longer closed to blacks, and a federal court had just ordered white schools in the city to admit black children. At left is Clara Pippen, mother of the two women. On the morning of Sunday, September 15, 1963, 14-year-old Collins was in the church basement room with a group of other children. This Day in Black History: Sept. 15, 1963 | News | BET Her mother and her older sister Madge also made up read more, The famous picture of Marilyn Monroe, laughing as her skirt is blown up by the blast from a subway vent, is shot on September 15, 1954 during the filming of The Seven Year Itch. Try again later. "Darkness will not last forever. The location had been criticized as too risky, but U.N. Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur insisted on carrying out the landing. There was a problem getting your location. Thanks for your help! Photo by Pictorial Parade/Getty Images. George Wallacefor creating the toxic climate that led to the church bombing. The news spread quickly, and it sickened people of all races and all political allegiances throughout the world. To this day, the location of Addie Mae's body remains a mystery. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Three men were convicted of murdering Addie Mae Collins long after her death, in trials held between 1977 and 2002. But there had been nothing so evil as the dynamiting of children during Sunday School. In May 1963, city and civil rights leaders negotiated the integration of public spaces, sparking widespread violence. Addie Mae Collins: One of the four Birmingham girls Fear and resentment of our nations growing diversity are at the heart of the hate that has been swelling across America for years. He attended college at Yale University, graduating second in his class. At 10:19 AM the bomb exploded, blowing a hole in the east side of the church, shattered windows, walls, and doors and injuring or killing 24 people. The youth choir would lead the congregation in music, and children would serve as ushers. Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, both 14, had been chosen to serve as ushers. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. "The answer should be, "We all did it." The service honoring Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley and two young boys killed shortly after the bombing, Johnny Robinson Jr. and Virgil Ware, recognized Birmingham as the center of the Civil Rights movement and emphasized that the march to justice and equality of all people is not over. The Birmingham News. The16th Street Baptist Churchwas at the center of Birmingham's African American community, hosting mass meetings and serving as the staging area for multiple civil rights marches. "This bombing of children was a dastardly act.". Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Thomas told those gathered "The greatest tribute you can pay to Carole is to be calm, be loving, be kind, be innocent. One of these was Collins' younger sister, Sarah, who lost an eye and sustained other serious injuries. This decision was later reversed. Photo by AP Images. Windows were blown out of nearby businesses as was a stained glass window at the church depicting Christ leading children. Although a subsequent FBI investigation identified three other menBobby Frank Cherry, Herman Cash and Thomas E. Blanton, Jr.as having helped Chambliss commit the crime, it was later revealed that FBI chairman J. Edgar Hoover blocked their prosecution and shut down the investigation without filing charges in 1968. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6433296/cynthia-dionne-wesley. This year, relatives of Addie Mae Collins, one of the girls that was killed, wanted to move her body to another burial site and found that it wasn't there. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Addie Collins (6433252)? There was a problem getting your location. So it should come as no surprise that weve seen this dangerous and inherently violent ideology once again become part of themainstream political realm. She was a member of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham which was, due to the spacious basement auditorium, the center for meetings of the civil rights movement. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? All Rights Reserved. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. The girls had been dressed in their Sunday best, ready to sing and act as ushers at the adult service, and only a few minutes before the explosion they had been together in the basement women's . The bomb detonated at 10:19 a.m., killing Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson and Addie Mae Collinsall 14 years oldand 11-year-old Denise McNair. When thousands of Black protesters assembled at the crime scene, Wallace sent hundreds of police and state troopers to the area to break up the crowd. And we must hold our leaders accountable for their words because those words inspire others to act, sometimes with deadly consequences. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Boing Boing uses cookies and analytics trackers, and is supported by advertising, merchandise Birmingham, Alabama: Graveside services at Woodlawn cemetery as body of Cynthia Dianne Wesley was buried . She was a member of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham which was, due to the spacious basement auditorium, the center for meetings of the civil rights movement. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, and Cynthia Wesley were then interred during joint funeral attended by over 8,000 mourners. Addie Mae Collins was one of the four little girls murdered in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing back in 1963. ChrisMcNair was an accomplished photographer and one of the first Black members of the Alabama Legislature. Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, USA. Read the rules you agree to by using this website in our Terms Addie Mae : NPR https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6433252/addie-mae-collins. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. For a few minutes, there was only screaming and chaos. Condoleezza Rice,who would later become U.S. secretary of state,was among her elementary school friends. She also participated in Saturday dance lessons and the science club. They were nervous and anxious for the event to begin. Cherrys trial was delayed after judges ruled he was mentally incompetent to stand trial. Another two suspects were charged and convicted in 2001 and 2002, a fourth suspect died before charges were brought. When the debris was searched for survivors, the bodies of four young girls were found; Cynthia Wesley, Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, and Carole Robertson. It wasn't until 1977 that anyone was charged, at which time a Klan leader was convicted for the murders. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Read about what we do with the data we gather in our Privacy Policy. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Because of this, they were a major target for segregationist attacks. Murder Victim. She attended Hill Elementary School and was an enthusiastic softball player and budding artist. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Alvin and Alpha Robertson, parents of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing victim Carole Robertson at the funeral for their daughter; Sept. 17, 1963. In promoting diversity and fighting racism, inclusive education programs forged pathways toward building equitable societies. The right computer monitor canmake or READ THE REST, We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Although most Americans do not know her name, Addie Mae is a national icon of sorts. ", 16th Street Baptist pastor John Cross said the bomber "did not only bomb the 16th Street Baptist Church, did not only kill these lovely, innocent girls, but somehow the world was shaken. "If these cruel and tragic events can only awaken that city and state -- if they can only awaken this entire nation -- to a realization of the folly of racial injustice and hatred and violence, then it is not too late for all concerned to unite in steps toward peaceful progress before more lives are lost," Kennedy said. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Although the town detective talked to everyone who lived on the path between the two houses, no one admitted to having seen Benoit. A Forgotten Victim of the Klan Is Still Waiting for Help - Governing Prior to the bombing, how had the children in Birmingham made history? September 15, 1963 was remembered as a day of victory for the Klan. Nearby buildings are left without glass in windows. Meanwhile, public outrage over the bombing continued to grow, drawing international attention to Birmingham. The missing body of Addie Mae Collins | Boing Boing Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Choose one sentence from the text that illustrates why this bombing was so different from the other acts of hatred. Moments later, services were held at a nearby grave for Addie Mae Collins, another victim of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. As director of theCivil Rights Memorial Center, also operated by the SPLC, I honor the girls spirits every day by making sure that the world never forgets their names names that should be remembered just like those of other unarmed Black people who have been killed recently, includingGeorge Floyd,Breonna Taylor,Tony McDade,Sean Reed,Yassin Mohamed,Ahmaud Arbery,Rayshard Brooksand too many more. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The song "Birmingham Sunday," recorded by Joan Baez memorialized the victims of the bombing. of Original caption: Alabama-Birmingham-bombings-Body removed from 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Year should not be greater than current year. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Despite an FBI investigation, however, no one was immediately charged with the crime. When the crew dug up the grave there was nothing in it. Oops, something didn't work. The bombing that killed Collins and her friends was a racially motivated hate crime. No one else has ever been tried for the Sixteenth Street bombing. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). In October 1963, Chambliss was cleared of the murder charge and received a six-month jail sentence and a $100 fine for the dynamite. This account has been disabled. Sisters tell of surviving 1963 church bombing - JournalStar From left to right: Denise McNair, 11; Carole Robertson, 14; Addie Mae Collins, 14; and Cynthia Wesley, 14. Despite the outrage and an FBI investigation, however, no one was charged with the crime. In addition to the four fatalities, more than 20 people were injured. They had come together as a group in several stages over the previous four years, changing their name in read more, The Battle of Britain reaches its climax when the Royal Air Force (RAF) downs 56 invading German aircraft in two dogfights lasting less than an hour. of The NAACP questioned the speed of the investigation and whether all resources available were being utilized. Then people began to search through the rubble for victims. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Try again. Collins' murder remained officially unsolved until the 1970s. Addie Mae, 14, and Denise, 11, were preparing to sing in the church choir. Cynthia Wesley, 14, was born Cynthia Morris and raised by a single mother, but she spent weekdays with adoptive parents in Birminghamto attend a better school, where she excelled in math, reading and band. Learn more about managing a memorial . A stretcher waits to carry away any more victims found. The whole world had watched in awe as the children in Birmingham made history. Blanton was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Pictured here are Johnny Robinson (left), 16, and Virgil Ware, 13. Now, as our nation confronts multiple assaults on democratic values, we hold firm in the fight to protectand to expanddemocracy through social justice education. Name: Addie Mae Collins Birth Year: 1949 Birth date: April 18, 1949 Birth State: Alabama Birth City: Birmingham Birth Country: United States Gender: Female Best Known For: Addie Mae Collins was. Cynthia Wesley was raised by a single mother but stayed with her adoptive parents so she could attend a better school, where she excelled in math, reading and band. Addie Mae was helping Denise tie the sash on her dress. The 1963. Her family says someone is responsible for the disappearance of her remains. Addie Mae Collins' remains still missing - WVTM Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Grief will not prevail. The 17-year-old charged in the incident, which also left a person wounded by an AR-15 assault-style rifle, has claimed self-defense. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. In 1963, many civil rights activists, including King,blamed Alabama Gov. On Sunday, September 15, 1963, Ku Klux Klan members bombed the Church. During the next two weeks, Khrushchevs visit dominated the news and provided some dramatic and humorous moments in the history of the Cold War. Raised and educated at Ashfield, her parents comfortable home, Christie began making up stories as a child. Civil rights leaders tried to channel the grief and rage that spread through the black community, but there was little comfort in their efforts. 0 cemeteries found in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, USA. Rudolph, who spoke to the press following a service at the church marking the anniversary of the bombing on Monday, said the family tried to exhume Addie Mae Collins around the year 2000, in order . No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Addie Mae Collins. At 10:22, it exploded. Your irresponsible and misguided actions have created in Birmingham and Alabama the atmosphere that has induced continued violence and now murder. A few days before the bombing, Wallace had said the nation needed a few first class funerals to resolve its race issues. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. A memorial statue to Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley the four girls killed in the attack now stands in Kelly Ingram Park, across from the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. Though Cash died in 1994, Cherry and Blanton were arrested and charged with four counts of murder in 2000. Astrological Sign: Aries. Learn more about managing a memorial . This photo shows President Kennedy's visit to Redstone Arsenal on Sept. 11, 1962. A box of dynamite with a timer was placed under the front steps steps of the church, near the basement, and was set to go off during Sunday prayers. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. ). Search above to list available cemeteries. This essay was first published in Free At Last: A History of the Civil Rights Movement and Those Who Died in the Struggle in 1989. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. All rights reserved. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. In the rubble of the 16th Street Baptist Church were the bodies of Addie Mae Collins, 14, Denise McNair, 11, Carole Robertson, 14, and Cynthia Wesley, 14. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. When the debris was searched for survivors, the bodies of the four young girls were found: ; Cynthia Wesley, Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, and Carole Robertson. Sister of 16th Street Church bombing victim pleads for help - Al Steve Chiotakis (Chee-uh-TAKE-iss) reports from member station W-B-H-M. We have set your language to There is a problem with your email/password. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. The blood of four little children is on your hands, he wrote in a telegraph to Wallace. In 1963, when Addie Mae Collins died, it was still relatively common in the South to harvest bodies from cemeteries and the cemeteries chosen were usually the ones that served the black community. Try again later. She married James Bartlett Stuart on 23 June 1905, in Grayson, Texas . The four girls in the ladies lounge were killed instantly. This browser does not support getting your location. She sang in her elementary school chorus, played the clarinet, and was a member of Jack and Jill of America, a civic-minded youth and family organization. GREAT NEWS! Murder Victim. Maxine and Chris McNair hold a picture of their daughter, Denise, the day after she was killed in the bombing. Missing remains of 1963 church bombing victim believed to be found The deaths of the four girls followed by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy two months later gave birth to a tide of grief and anger--a surge of emotional momentum that galvanized the civil rights movement and ensured the passage of the1964 Civil Rights Act.