Remembering the History: The 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing

History - Social Studies

The 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was an important place for the Black community and for people fighting for civil rights. On September 15, 1963, a terrible event happened when a bomb exploded at the church. This bombing took the lives of four young girls who were getting ready for Sunday school. The church was a meeting place for civil rights leaders to plan marches and peaceful protests. The sadness and anger after the bombing helped people see the need for change. It helped lead to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a law that made segregation illegal in the United States.

 

Fill in the Blank

Fill in the blank with the correct words:

  1. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing took place on _____________.
  2. The church was located in the city of _____________, Alabama.
  3. The tragedy resulted in the loss of _____________ young girls who were getting ready for Sunday school.
  4. Civil rights leaders used the church as a _____________ to plan marches like the Children’s Crusade.
  5. This event was so powerful that it helped pass the _____________ of 1964, a law that made segregation illegal.

Word Bank: Headquarters | Civil Rights Act | September 15, 1963 | Four | Birmingham

 

Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct answer from the choices for each question:

  1. What city was the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in?
    • a) Atlanta
    • b) Birmingham
    • c) Montgomery
    • d) Selma
  2. How many young girls lost their lives in the bombing?
    • a) Three
    • b) Five
    • c) Four
    • d) Two
  3. What important law was passed partly because of the church bombing?
    • a) Voting Rights Act
    • b) Civil Rights Act
    • c) Bill of Rights
    • d) Emancipation Proclamation
  4. What was the church used for during the civil rights movement?
    • a) A restaurant
    • b) A store
    • c) A headquarters for planning marches
    • d) A library
  5. On what date did the bombing occur?
    • a) July 4, 1776
    • b) January 1, 1960
    • c) September 15, 1963
    • d) October 31, 1963

 

Open-Ended Questions

Answer the following questions in complete sentences:

  1. Why do you think the 16th Street Baptist Church was important to the civil rights movement?
  2. How did the bombing change the way people thought about segregation and civil rights?
  3. What can we learn from remembering the story of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing?

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