It was Sunday morning, September 16, 1963. It was "Youth Day" at the 16th Street Baptist Church, which was crowded with its Negro congregation, about 400 adults and 80 children. A car slowed down as it passed the church, and someone threw a bomb into the building.

Four little girls were killed as they sat in Sunday school. Dozens were injured when the bomb went off. About 2,000 people rushed towards the site of the bombing, and angry Negroes throughout Birmingham stoned cars driven by Whites.

By nightfall, Birmingham was near a riot, with fires reported throughout the city. City police shot a 16 year old Negro to death when he refused to halt after he was caught stoning cars. Another 13 year old was shot and killed as he rode his bicycle in a suburban part of the city.