In 1998, the Collins family requested that Addie Mae's body be exhumed and moved to another cemetery. Try again. Carole Robertson, 14, was a high-achieving student who played the clarinet, sang in elementary school choirs and was a member of her high schools marching band. And we must hold our leaders accountable for their words because those words inspire others to act, sometimes with deadly consequences. This photo shows President Kennedy's visit to Redstone Arsenal on Sept. 11, 1962. Learn more about merges. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, and Cynthia Wesley were interred during joint funeral attended by over 8,000 mourners. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. She befriended Condoleezza Rice, a fellow elementary school student who later became U.S. secretary of state. and affiliate links. Please try again later. One of the chapters in this book is all about the cadaver trade and how black Americans have historically made up a disproportionate percentage of those cadavers. Try again. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Today, we have a president who doesnt bother to disguise his embrace of white nationalists. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. She was the first adopted daughter of Claude and Gertrude Wesley, both of whom were teachers. Despite the outrage and an FBI investigation, however, no one was charged with the crime. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Cynthia Dionne Wesley I found on Findagrave.com. It's a story that goes from colonial times all the way up to the present. Try again later. She was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Birmingham, but her body has been. Service, a Creative Commons Farrell Griswold, pastor of Minor Heights Baptist, told the crowd. In a later statement, the FBI stated that their investigation had been impeded by the lack of witness cooperation in Birmingham. The murders sparked nationwide outrage and energized the civil rights movement. 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. Now, as our nation confronts multiple assaults on democratic values, we hold firm in the fight to protectand to expanddemocracy through social justice education. Photo by Pictorial Parade/Getty Images. But before she could finish, the bomb went off. Ministers homes, a black-owned hotel, and other churches had been wrecked. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. The long struggle was won mainly because children were brave enough to march into the overpowering water hoses and vicious dogs of Police Commissioner Bull Connor. based on information from your browser. GREAT NEWS! In 2013, the United States Congress awarded each girl the Congressional Gold Medal. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. No one can know with certainty who took the body or why, but many are convinced that her body joined the untold thousands of anonymous black cadavers on anatomists' tables. One. cemeteries found in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The resulting explosion killed four girls Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair. Drag images here or select from your computer for Addie Mae Collins memorial. Addie Mae Collins was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 18, 1949. What did Charles Morgan mean when he said, We all did it every person in this community who has in any way contributed to the popularity of hatred is at least as guilty as the demented fool who threw that bomb? Today, were seeing heavily armed militia-like formations of white supremacists and other far-right extremists take to the streets to confront peaceful anti-racist marches in cities across the country. We all did it. Every person in this community who has in any way contributed during the past several years to the popularity of hatred is at least as guilty, or more so, than the demented fool who threw that bomb," Morgan said. Another 22 people were injured in the explosion. Thomas told those gathered "The greatest tribute you can pay to Carole is to be calm, be loving, be kind, be innocent. "Violence is not in our plans," the Rev. Read about what we do with the data we gather in our Privacy Policy. Death Year: 1963, Death date: September 15, 1963, Death State: Alabama, Death City: Birmingham, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Addie Mae Collins Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/crime/addie-mae-collins, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: September 4, 2019, Original Published Date: April 3, 2014. Immediately after the blast, church members wandered dazed and bloodied, covered with white powder and broken stained glass, before starting to dig in the rubble to search for survivors. This browser does not support getting your location. Prosecutions in the killings of Denise McNair, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Morris Wesley and Carole Robertson were delayed by the reluctance of witnesses and a dearth of physical evidence. Denise McNair performed in plays, dance routines and poetry readings to raise money for muscular dystrophy research. The song "Birmingham Sunday," recorded by Joan Baez memorialized the victims of the bombing. Robert Chambliss, a member of a Ku Klux Klan group that was seen placing the dynamite under the church steps, was arrested in 1963, but tried only for illegal possession of explosives. That spring, their own church had been the center of a campaign against segregation. The youth choir would lead the congregation in music, and children would serve as ushers. Photo by AP Images. designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated A system error has occurred. Marchers at a civil rights demonstration in Washington, D.C.,on Sept. 22, 1963, hold posters reading No More Birminghams, in response to the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. In 1997 a documentary film on the bombing called "4 Little Girls" was released. At about 10:22 AM, as 26 children were entering the basement assembly room for closing prayers, the bomb exploded, blowing a hole in the east side of the church and injuring dozens. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. Addie Mae Collins' younger sister, Sarah, was the last person to see the girls alive. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Despite an FBI investigation, however, no one was immediately charged with the crime. Addie Mae Collins was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 18, 1949. This is how we can honor Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and the countless others who have lost their lives to the hands of hate. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. On Sunday morning, September 15, 1963, several members of the KKK tunneled under the church and planted 122 sticks of dynamite near what was the girls' basement rest room. 31 October 1884-1 October 1953 (Age 68) Texas, United States. Please reset your password. 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. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. It was thirty years before her sisters could bear to visit her grave, and when they saw its neglected state, they immediately arranged to have Addie Mae moved to another, better-maintained cemetery. They've filed suit against the funeral home, and have filed a claim against the city of Birmingham. An eyewitness saw four white men plant the bomb. Resend Activation Email. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Fear and resentment of our nations growing diversity are at the heart of the hate that has been swelling across America for years. Plaster and debris fell around the people in Sunday School upstairs. Oops, something didn't work. license except where otherwise noted. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. of Her body was not in the spot where it was presumed to be. The costly raid convinced the German high command that the Luftwaffe could not achieve air supremacy over Britain, and the next read more, During the Battle of the Somme, the British launch a major offensive against the Germans, employing tanks for the first time in history. The whole world had watched in awe as the children in Birmingham made history. 0 cemeteries found in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, USA. 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. Condoleezza Rice,who would later become U.S. secretary of state,was among her elementary school friends. Missing remains of 1963 church bombing victim believed to be found | WHAM There are dramatic new developments in the search for the missing remains of a key figure in the 1960's civil rights. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. 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. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Addie Mae Collins (born April 18th, 1949 age 14) The daughter of Julius and Alice Collins, Addie was one of seven children and was described as a sweet girl who enjoyed attending church and . Verify and try again. By read more, On September 15, 1978, boxer Muhammad Ali defeats Leon Spinks at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans to win the world heavyweight boxing title for the third time in his career, the first fighter ever to do so. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Theyre just little niggers and if theres four less niggers tonight, then I say, Good for whoever planted the bomb!. After decades of neglect, the cemetery records were found to be incomplete and the location of the body had been lost. There was an error deleting this problem. Her family says someone is responsible . Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Oops, we were unable to send the email. "We've been expecting this all along.". The preacher had prepared a sermon especially for the children. In promoting diversity and fighting racism, inclusive education programs forged pathways toward building equitable societies. People everywhere died.". Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Before this day was over, the whole world would mourn. ). 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). Collins was killed in the blast along with Denise McNair, 11, and Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, both 14. 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. I had no idea how leafcutter ants did their job, but this "Ant Lab" clip (below) explains it well in just 41 seconds, and the close-up photography is outstanding. 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. Failed to delete memorial. 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. For more on the ceremony, please visit this story. 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. The song "Birmingham Sunday," recorded by Joan Baez memorialized the victims of the bombing. 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. Photo by AP Images. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. But there had been nothing so evil as the dynamiting of children during Sunday School. 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. Civil Rights Figure. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. "This bombing of children was a dastardly act.". It was Youth Sunday at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The bombing occurred days after black students began attending Birmingham city schools. Try again later. Chambliss was sent to prison, where he died. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. She also participated in Saturday dance lessons and the science club. She married James Bartlett Stuart on 23 June 1905, in Grayson, Texas . On Sept. 15, 1963, she and three other girls were killed by Ku Klux Klan members who planted. Please enter your email and password to sign in. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. At a funeral for three of the girls (ones family preferred a separate, private service), King addressed more than 8,000 mourners. On Sept. 15, 1963, four Black girls, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair, were killed in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, after a . This is a carousel with slides. Boing Boing uses cookies and analytics trackers, and is supported by advertising, merchandise If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. The murders touched off nationwide outrage. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Cynthia Wesley (6433296)? Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. A stretcher waits to carry away any more victims found. There had been many bombings in Birmingham designed to stop the black struggle for equality. For the youngsters, many of whom had marched proudly with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it was another in a series of momentous events that year. Idaho Murders: What Led Police to Bryan Kohberger, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Addie Mae Collins, Birth Year: 1949, Birth date: April 18, 1949, Birth State: Alabama, Birth City: Birmingham, Birth Country: United States. 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. "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. Learn more about merges. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. From left to right: Denise McNair, 11; Carole Robertson, 14; Addie Mae Collins, 14; and Cynthia Wesley, 14. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Fred Shuttlesworth. C.E. Learn more about managing a memorial . It wasn't until 1977 that anyone was charged, at which time a Klan leader was convicted for the murders. Select the Student Version to print the text and Text Dependent Questions only. 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. Three Ku Klux Klan members were later . cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Another two suspects were charged and convicted in 2001 and 2002, a fourth suspect died before charges were brought. Saturday was the 55th anniversary of the bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. Year should not be greater than current year. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. In the basement ladies lounge of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, four girls were chatting nervously and straightening their fancy white dresses. She attended the 16th Street Baptist Church with her parents, Julius and Alice, as well as her six siblings. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. 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 can always change this later in your Account settings. 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. Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, and Cynthia Wesley were interred during joint funeral attended by over 8,000 mourners. She attended Hill Elementary School and was an enthusiastic softball player and budding artist. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. He then attended read more, On September 15, 1858, the new Overland Mail Company sends out its first two stages, inaugurating government mail service between the eastern and western regions of the nation. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. So it should come as no surprise that weve seen this dangerous and inherently violent ideology once again become part of themainstream political realm. Our forum rules are detailed in the Community Guidelines. Cherrys trial was delayed after judges ruled he was mentally incompetent to stand trial. The murders touched off nationwide outrage. Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, both 14, had been chosen to serve as ushers. Try again later. Tragically, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, two men protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake were shot to death in late August by a gunman who joined with a contingent of militia to conduct armed patrols during the protests. Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. 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. Carole and Cynthia both 14 were going to be ushers. based on information from your browser. sales Shortly after the church bombing, white supremacist leader Connie Lynch told a group of Klansmen that those responsible for the bombing deserved medals. Lynch said the four young girls who died there werent children. One of these was Collins' younger sister, Sarah, who lost an eye and sustained other serious injuries. 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. From left, 11-year-old Denise McNair and 14-year-olds Carole Robertson, Addie Mae Collins and Cynthia Wesley were killed while attending Sunday services. Addie Mae Collins was an outgoing, artistic girl who as a Black teenager in 1963 happily went door to door in the white neighborhoods of Birmingham, Alabama, to sell aprons and potholders that her mother had stitched together to make ends meet. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Boing Boing is published under a Creative Commons Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. I happened to stumble across this story last week, while reading Harriet Washington's book, Medical Apartheid. The NAACP questioned the speed of the investigation and whether all resources available were being utilized. Try again later. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Three men were convicted of murdering Addie Mae Collins long after her death, in trials held between 1977 and 2002. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Original caption: Bystanders react to the destruction in the immediate aftermath of the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., Sunday, Sept. 15, 1963. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account.