Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 1-17-20

Tribute To Dr. King
1963
16th Street Baptist Church After Bombing
On Sunday morning, September 15,
1963, the congregation of 16th Street Bap-
tist Church in Birmingham, Alabama was
busy preparing for Youth Day, an annual
opportunity to honor the children by giv-
ing them roles in conducting the service.
After Sunday school five girls stood check-
ing their appearance in front of a mirror
in the ladies room in the basement. At
10:22 a.m. a tremendous blast shook the
entire church. The bomb was so powerful
that the outside brick and stone wall col-
lapsed into the basement. Out of the rub-
ble staggered 12-year old Sarah Collins,
calling the name of her sister Addie Mae.
Partially blinded and riddled with 21
pieces of broken glass, she was the only
one in the room to survive. Four other
children died: Denise McNair, 11, Addie
Mae Collins, 14, Carole Robertson, 14, and
Cynthia Wesley, 14. As news of the bombing spread across the nation, and around the world, people of all races were moved to outrage by the tragedy.
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