This extraordinary book describes the tragic 1963 church bombing in Birmingham that killed four young girls. Original photographs and primary source documents help place that day in the historical context of the civil rights struggle. Author’s Notes, Further Reading.

September 15, 1963 was a turning point for Civil Rights. At the 16th Street Baptist Church, Denise McNair, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley were in the church basement. Primping their hair and smiling in the mirrors, the girls wanted to look nice because they were to be a part of the children's service that morning.

As a car outside the church drove away, a bomb, approximately 19-25 sticks of dynamite placed under the stairwell, near the bathrooms, exploded thereby ending the lives of four innocent little girls, harming 23 others, and maiming another whose swollen bandaged face showed that one of her eyes would never again have sight. Two young boys were also killed that day, one shot by a policeman who claimed he thought the boy had "something in his hands."

The walls of the church were 30 inches thick. Known as a meeting place for Civil Rights activists, this particular church was targeted as a statement by a sub group of the KKK. It took years to finally find justice. But, in the meantime, this brutal act by cowards, became a turning point, and on that day children who died, did not perish in vain.

Finally, Birmingham, Alabama, also known as "Bombingham" led people who were normally complacent, to stand up for all that was wrong in the hope that all that was good could shine through.

This is a well-written, documented book that also outlines the racist events leading up to the September event. The children's broken bodies were a testimony to all that was wrong with Jim Crow. This act was so horrid that it could not be overlooked.

Another excellent non-fiction book by Brimner, recounting the events and aftermath of the Birmingham bombings in September, 1963. Photos are outstanding. Wonderful balance between facts and drawing readers into the emotion of the events. Great read and enables readers to view the event from multiple perspectives - children, civil rights leaders, news, KKK, etc. Many entry points to further explore civil rights, equality, fear, segregation, etc. A must read in conjunction with the topic of the 1950's and 1960's Civil Rights Movement.

A blast in the 16th Street Baptist Church killed four girls who were in the basement. The church was the ideal target for segregationists, as it was the rallying place for Birmingham's African American community, Martin Luther King, Jr., using it as his "headquarters" when he was in town to further the cause of desegregation and equal rights. The bombing became a pivotal moment that helped secure the passage of the 1964 civil rights legislation. ( )

Great read detailing the bombing of a church that killed 4 girls. It happened in 1963 during all of the racial tension.

A touching story about that fateful day that 6 children died because of the color of their skin. It tells of all of the high and low points that led up to that horrible day and pays tribute to the children that died in the blast.