Walking Across History: A Day Trip from Birmingham to Selma, Alabama
Alabama is steeped in layers of American history—some painful, some powerful, all essential. On a bright morning during my time in Birmingham, I set off on a day trip to Selma, a small city with a towering place in the history of the U.S. civil rights movement. It’s a journey of just under two hours by car, but in many ways, it felt like traveling across generations.
The Drive: Rolling Through the Heart of Alabama
Leaving Birmingham, the drive southwest on I-65 and then US-80 offered a look into the heart of Alabama. Rolling past farmland, tall pine trees, and glimpses of rural communities, it was a scenic and calming route. As I got closer to Selma, the weight of what awaited began to settle in—the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a structure I’d seen countless times in history books and documentaries, was just ahead.
Selma: Where Courage Crossed a Bridge
Selma is not a large city, but it carries monumental significance. The focal point of the visit was, of course, the Edmund Pettus Bridge—where the infamous “Bloody Sunday” took place on March 7, 1965. Walking across that bridge was an emotional experience. As I looked over the Alabama River, I thought of the bravery of John Lewis, Hosea Williams, and hundreds of peaceful marchers who faced state troopers with clubs and tear gas for the right to vote.
There’s a small but powerful interpretive center on the east side of the bridge—the Selma Interpretive Center, part of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail. It sets the stage with firsthand accounts, video footage, and artifacts that bring the march and its legacy to life.
Brown Chapel AME Church and the Footsteps of the Movement
Next, I visited Brown Chapel AME Church, the starting point of the Selma to Montgomery marches. While the church is sometimes closed to the public, just standing outside the brick façade felt meaningful. This was where ordinary citizens became heroes, inspired by faith and fortified by purpose.
Time for Reflection: A Walk Through Old Live Oak Cemetery
Before heading back to Birmingham, I stopped at Old Live Oak Cemetery, a tranquil space that offers a different slice of Selma’s complex history. Massive live oaks draped in Spanish moss shaded the historic gravestones. It was quiet and haunting, a reminder of the South’s layered narrative.
A Bite to Eat in Historic Downtown
Downtown Selma has a few locally owned eateries where you can grab a bite and chat with welcoming residents. I had lunch at a small café that served classic Southern comfort food—fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread (no pork for me, of course), and sweet tea that could rival any dessert.
Back to Birmingham: With Heart and History
The ride back to Birmingham gave me time to reflect. A day in Selma isn’t just a travel experience—it’s an emotional journey, one that reminds you how far we’ve come and how far there still is to go. If you’re in Alabama and care about American history, Selma isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Tips for Your Visit:
- Start early so you can walk the bridge in the morning light and have time to explore.
- Wear comfortable shoes—Selma is best experienced on foot.
- Visit between Tuesday and Saturday for best access to museums and interpretive centers.
- Bring tissues. You might need them.
Have you visited a place that deeply moved you? Let me know in the comments.