Launched on January 1, 2018, the United States Civil Rights Trail includes over a 100 different landmarks from the Civil Rights Era. Each one of them played a huge impact in the 1950s and 60s struggles that many faced. The date the trail was launched is rather significant as it’s the anniversary of the decree of Abraham Lincoln’s that freed the slaves during the Civil War. The trail gives visitors the option to see all of these important sites in a way that’s easy to navigate.
Exploring America By Seeing The United States Civil Rights Trail
What To See
16th Baptist Church. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, this church is where four girls will killed due to a bombing by the Ku Klux Klan on September 15, 1963.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthplace. At this visitors can see where Martin Luther King Jr. was actually born in Atlanta, Georgia.
National Civil Rights Museum. Located in Memphis, Tennessee at the Lorraine Hotel, visitors can see where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated.
The Selma Bridge. On March 7, 1965, protesters were attacked by state police at this Alabama location. This event is now known as “Bloody Sunday”.
1960 Sit-In Movement. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina at a Woolworth’s store, visitors can see the location where four black college students sat at a lunch counter that was for only whites and started the sit-in movement.
Montgomery, Alabama’s Parsonage. While this landmark isn’t well known, it is rather interesting. It contains photographs of the wedding of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
Brown V. Board Of Education. In Topeka, Kansas visitors can see the landmark where the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that separate education schools was unequal in 1954. This made it illegal to have racially segregated schools
Why This Trail Is Important
Many individuals have wanted to learn about the Civil Rights Movement, but don’t know where to begin. The United States Civil Rights Trail gives them a guide as to where to go and what to see. A lot of these landmarks touch many of the senses which makes an unforgettable experience. Those interested in learning more can visit the trail’s website at https://civilrightstrail.com/discover-the-trail/. Once here they can choose the state they want to visit and see what landmarks are available in that state. The 100 different landmarks are located in 16 different states with many of them being free to visit.
