There’s a lot to learn about Alabama’s history - from steel mills to civil rights, Birmingham has a complicated and complex past that has shaped the city it is today.
Birmingham, once the industrial centre of the Deep South of the United States, was established as a city in 1871 thanks to the discovery of limestone, coal and iron ore in the city’s soil. The mills that sprung up to accommodate the swell in productivity led to the prevalence of manufacturing opportunities in Birmingham today: A hefty population of Birmingham’s residents have either worked in the mills or had family members working the mills, which led to Birmingham’s nickname as the “Pittsburgh of the South”.
Birmingham was the site of explosive, violent protests that took place in the city during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Known as “Bombingham” during the 1960s and 1970s, Birmingham’s streets saw unspeakable horrors as Civil Rights Demonstrators made their way through the city streets. Today, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is open to educate the masses about the conflicts responsible for shaping Birmingham’s role in 20th century in American history.
Whether you’re visiting Birmingham for a trip through history or just stopping through on your way across America, take time to revel in one of the “last of the Southern cities” that proudly refers to itself as Alabama’s “Diverse City.”