Headlines from the Birmingham Church Bombing (The Journal-News, via Newspapers.com)
The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing was an act of white supremacist terrorism which occurred at the African American 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, September 15, 1963, when four members of the Ku Klux Klan planted at least 15 sticks of dynamite attached to a timing device beneath the steps located on the east side of the church.
Described by Martin Luther King Jr. as “one of the most vicious and tragic crimes ever perpetrated against humanity” the explosion at the church killed four girls and injured 22 others.
The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing marked a turning point in the United States during the civil rights movement and contributed to support for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Wikipedia
Learn more about the Birmingham Church Bombing through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.
Articles and Clippings about the Birmingham Church Bombing
Headlines following the Birmingham Church Bombing on September 15, 1963 Mon, Sep 16, 1963 – Page 1 · The Journal News (White Plains, West Chester, New York, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Alabama newspaper's front page the day after the Birmingham Church Bombing Mon, Sep 16, 1963 – 1 · The Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Photos of destruction caused by the bombing at Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Mon, Sep 16, 1963 – 1 · The Morning Call (Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Picture of exterior damage to the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama Mon, Sep 16, 1963 – 1 · The Odessa American (Odessa, Ector, Texas, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Image of the body of one of the girls killed in church bombing being loaded into an ambulance Mon, Sep 16, 1963 – 1 · The Daily Times (Davenport, Scott, Iowa, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Shootings follow the 1963 bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama Mon, Sep 16, 1963 – Page 1 · The Burlington Free Press (Burlington, Chittenden, Vermont, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
President John F. Kennedy expresses outrage and grief over Birmingham Church Bombing Mon, Sep 16, 1963 – Page 1 · Redlands Daily Facts (Redlands, San Bernardino, California) · Newspapers.com
In response to the 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing, President Kennedy urges national unity Tue, Sep 17, 1963 – Page 15 · The Times (Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Law passed in 1960 brings FBI onto Birmingham Church Bombing case Tue, Sep 17, 1963 – 3 · The Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Burial of Carole Robertson, first of the four girls killed in the church bombing to be buried Wed, Sep 18, 1963 – 372 · Daily News (New York, New York, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
4th-grade children describe their thoughts about the Birmingham Church Bombing Thu, Sep 19, 1963 – Page 7 · The Ottawa Journal (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) · Newspapers.com
Excerpt from a newspaper correspondent's reaction to the Birmingham church bombing Sat, Sep 21, 1963 – Page 1 · The Pittsburgh Courier (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.com
Martin Luther King Jr. sends messages to Pres. Kennedy and Gov. Wallace following the bombing Sat, Sep 21, 1963 – Page 4 · The Pittsburgh Courier (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.com
Thousands attend memorial held for the victims of the 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing and two others Mon, Sep 23, 1963 – Page 1 · The Cumberland News (Cumberland, Allegany, Maryland) · Newspapers.com
Memorials held in Portland, Seattle, and Tacoma for the four girls killed during the church bombing Mon, Sep 23, 1963 – Page 1 · Statesman Journal (Salem, Marion, Oregon, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Images of the victims and the aftermath of the Birmingham Church Bombing Sat, Sep 28, 1963 – Page 3 · The Pittsburgh Courier (Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.com
Editorial: "Bombingham, the Unrepentant" Sat, Sep 28, 1963 – Page 10 · The Pittsburgh Courier (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.com
"Two Men Held For Questioning In Birmingham Church Bombing" Mon, Sep 30, 1963 – 1 · The Daily Times (Salisbury, Wicomico, Maryland, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
An image of a silent march being held in Michigan for the victims of the Birmingham Church Bombing Mon, Sep 30, 1963 – Page 10 · Battle Creek Enquirer (Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
List of "Bullets, Bombs, Beatings in Birmingham, Alabama" (Dec. 1956 - Sep. 1963) Sat, Oct 5, 1963 – Page 2 · The Pittsburgh Courier (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.com
In 1977, ex-Klansman Robert Chambliss becomes first man indicted for 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing Tue, Sep 27, 1977 – Page 5 · Muncie Evening Press (Muncie, Indiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Thomas E. Blanton Jr. is convicted in 2001 as one of the perpetrators of the church bombing Thu, May 3, 2001 – 18 · The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
Bobby Frank Cherry goes on trial in 2002 for his role in the deadly Birmingham Church Bombing Wed, May 15, 2002 – 3 · The Californian (Salinas, Monterey, California, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
"Birmingham Church Bombing," Newspapers.com Topics (https://www.newspapers.com/topics/civil-rights/birmingham-church-bombing/ : accessed May 11, 2024)