Selma To Montgomery March

Commemorating The 1965 Selma to Montgomery March

Alabama is the birthplace of leaders with dreams. It’s the place where thousands of leaders came together to march for the paramount victory in the fight for equality–the right to vote.

Today, those dreams march on. Walk in the footsteps of the brave men and women who fought for equal rights and experience the emotion and courage of the Civil Rights Movement. In 2015, we invite you to celebrate the many dreams that started here by visiting Selma, Lowndes County and Montgomery as we mark the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March.

Go To Selma >

Be Where The Dream Marches On. >

© Unauthorized use and⁄or duplication of the official 50th logo without express and written permission from the City of Montgomery is strictly prohibited.

Selma To Montgomery March

Edmund Pettus Bridge, Selmaspacer In 1965, the eyes of the nation
watched as thousands of ordinary people took to the streets of Selma to march for voting rights.

On March 7, Reverend Hosea Williams and John Lewis stepped from the pulpit of Brown Chapel Church and led a group of 600 toward Montgomery. After just six blocks, when they crossed the now infamous Edmund Pettus Bridge over the Alabama River, Sheriff Jimmy Clark’s deputies and state troopers dispatched by Gov. Wallace attacked the group with nightsticks and tear gas, injuring dozens. The violence stopped the marchers’ first attempt, but they would not be silenced or stopped for good.

The event came to be known as “Bloody Sunday.”

Two weeks later, under the protection of Alabama National Guardsmen and Army troops, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. set off again from Selma and marched along U.S. Hwy. 80 to the capital city.

The March continues. Civil Rights in and around Selma provide moving examples of what ordinary people can do. Visit our historic city and follow in the footsteps of individuals who shaped some of the most pivotal moments in America’s history.

Go to Lowndes County >View the Map

spacer Brown Chapel AME Church

spacer March 7, 1965, Blocking the way

spacer Bloody Sunday Violence

Events Planned for 2015

  • 3/19/16 51st Anniversary Selma to Montgomery Bicycle Ride
Show more events +
Things to Do in selma + Where to Stay in selma +

Meetings & Groups Contact:
Ashley Mason
tourism@selmaalabama.com
www.selma50iwasthere.com

Media Contact:
Sheryl Smedley
Sheryl.smedley@selmaalabama.com
www.selma50iwasthere.com
(334) 875-7241 or
1-800-45-SELMA (73562)

Selma To Montgomery March

Highway 80, Lowndes Countyspacer March 22 and 23, 1965, hundreds of protesters marched through Lowndes County on the trail from Selma to Montgomery in hopes of making great change.

Along the way the marchers camped at three separate sites, including the historic “Tent City,” which stood at the halfway point. The next day, the marchers continued their journey to Montgomery. Near the site, Viola Luizzo, a white mother of five, from Detroit, was assassinated on the night of March 25, 1965 by Ku Klux Klan members. She had traveled to Alabama to support the voting rights movement by ferrying marchers back and forth from Selma to Montgomery throughout the protest.

Today, the journey continues. Follow in the path of those courageous men and women who marched for freedom. Visit the Lowndes County Interpretive Center, strategically placed near the historic “Tent City,” and explore first-hand the marchers’ incredible journey.

Go to Montgomery >View the Map

Events Planned for 2015

Show more events +
Things to Do in lowndes + Where to Stay in lowndes +

Media Contact:

Patricia Butts, National Park Service 334-727-6390

They Marched On. >

Selma To Montgomery March

1:25 PM, March 25, 1965spacer The crowd then gathered
without incident in front
of the Alabama State Capitol and by that time was 25,000 strong.

Proving a simple act can transform the world, Rosa Parks’ display of quiet courage sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott giving impetus to the Civil Rights Movement and making Montgomery the epicenter of a groundbreaking societal shift that would change our entire nation for the better. The struggle reached its positive resolution when, in 1965, following a brutal attack that stopped a prior march, marchers led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. set off from Selma and marched along U.S. Hwy. 80 to the capital city. They covered the 54 miles between Selma and Montgomery in four days, wrapping up their journey with the Stars of Freedom rally at the City of St. Jude. The crowd then gathered without incident in front of the Alabama State Capitol and by that time was 25,000 strong. Not long after, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law.

Today, that dream continues. Welcome to Montgomery, The Capital of Dreams, where yesterday’s lessons combined with today’s progress and our plans for tomorrow continue to inspire dreams and make them realities.

View the Map

spacer Entering Neighborhood

spacer The Marchers are Cheered

spacer National Guard on Dexter

Events Planned for 2015

  • 3/19/16 51st Anniversary Selma to Montgomery Bicycle Ride
  • 3/29/16 2016 max capital city classic
Show more events +
Things to Do in montgomery + Where to Stay in montgomery +

Meetings & Groups Contact:

Shawna Faniel, National Sales Manager
334-261-1108
sfaniel@montgomerychamber.com

Media Contact:

Meg Lewis, Director of Tourism & Special Projects
334-261-1104
mlewis@montgomerychamber.com

Selma To Montgomery March

Anniversary Events
Planned for 2015

Printable Version
  • Mar 19

    51st Anniversary Selma to Montgomery Bicycle Ride in Montgomery and Selma

  • Mar 29

    2016 max capital city classic in Montgomery

Selma To Montgomery March

commemorating 50 years of history 

members of the media may contact Meg Lewis for information

Phone: 334-261-1104 
Toll-free: 800-240-9452
mlewis@montgomerychamber.com

Press Releases

March 19:honoring the selma to montgomery voting rights marchGO >

March 18:unseen film footage & photos of selma-to-montgomery marchGO >

February 27:luke wade joins patti labelle to perform march 7th to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the selmaGO >

February 19:dream marches on guided trolley tours available in march in montgomery, alGO >

February 5:local leaders update public on plans for 50th anniversary of selma-to-montgomery marchGO >

November 26:montgomery, al is 3rd u.s. best value city for 2015 by trivago in 50 undiscovered us cities listGO >

November 20:world premiere of “deep rivers” by acclaimed composer mohammed fairouz to be performed by imani windGO >

November 20:initiative seeks student volunteers to prepare historic trail for commemorationGO >

October 7:patti labelle in concert at asu in march 2015GO >

May 27:paramount pictures and pathé announce the start of principal photography on “selma”GO >

April 30:montgomery voted best historic city in 10 best readers’ choice contestGO >

April 21:montgomery needs votes to bring home 10best historic city title with one week left in competitionGO >

April 2:alabama prepares for 50th anniversary of selma to montgomery voting rights marchGO >

March 14:civil heritage trail debuts in historic downtown montgomeryGO >

March 10:new website launched to promote 2015 civil rights anniversary eventsGO >

We Thank Our Sponsors

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