Birmingham Riot of 1963

Date: May 11, 1963 • Location: Birmingham, United States

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1963–1963.

African Americans rioted in Birmingham, Alabama, in response to two bombings, perceiving local police to be complicit with the perpetrators.

The Birmingham riot of 1963 was a civil disorder and riot in Birmingham, Alabama, that was provoked by bombings on the night of May 11, 1963. The bombings targeted African-American leaders of the Birmingham campaign. In response, local African-Americans burned businesses and fought police throughout the downtown area.