Edmund Pettus Bridge

The Edmund Pettus Bridge, located in Selma, Alabama, is one of the most iconic landmarks of the American civil rights movement. Built in 1940 and named after Edmund Winston Pettus, a Confederate general, U.S. senator, and leader of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan, the bridge gained historic significance during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches.

On March 7, 1965, a day now known as "Bloody Sunday," peaceful civil rights demonstrators, led by activists like John Lewis and Hosea Williams, attempted to cross the bridge as part of a march for voting rights. They were met with brutal resistance from state troopers and local law enforcement, who used tear gas, billy clubs, and other forms of violence to force them back. The event was televised, shocking the nation and drawing widespread attention to the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

The brutality of "Bloody Sunday" galvanized public support for the movement, ultimately leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark law that aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting practices.

Today, the Edmund Pettus Bridge stands as a symbol of both the oppression faced by Black Americans and the enduring fight for equality and justice. It is a National Historic Landmark, and its legacy continues to inspire movements for civil rights and social justice around the world. The bridge is a focal point of annual commemorations, particularly during the anniversary of the Selma marches, where people gather to honor those who fought for voting rights.