Birmingham, a "City of Terror," where 60 bombs were used to target homes, churches, and The A.G. Gaston Motel (which was the headquarters of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.) to control and intimidate the Black citizens. Birmingham was the only American city where the children were threatened by a military tank.

In 1963, the Children's Crusade for Civil Rights included more than 5,000 children, ages 4 to 18. They came from Metro Birmingham. It was the largest and most successful crusade performed by children in history. It lasted eight days, opened doors, blazed pathways, created opportunities, built bridges, removed blockades, and stumbling blocks, and made worldwide news. Additionally, the movement changed the world and inspired other nations. Nelson Mandela said that the Children's March in Birmingham inspired his crusade for freedom in Africa.

This march shut down Birmingham, the "most segregated and most hateful city" in America, as described by Dr. King; and it hastened the passage of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and The Voting Rights Act of 1965 which outlawed discriminatory voting practices in many southern states.
The participants of the march and the sit-ins are referred to as "The Foot Soldiers." They entered the war as children but emerged as soldiers. THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES!!

Terry G. Collins,
1963 Civil Rights Foot Soldier