On March 7, 1965, known as Bloody Sunday, approximately 600 civil rights activists began their journey from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital of Montgomery. Led by influential figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis, these marchers bravely challenged the unequal voting policies that plagued the South. However, their peaceful protest encountered brutal resistance as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. State troopers ruthlessly attacked the unarmed demonstrators, using tear gas, whips, and batons. The entire nation watched in horror as news footage and photographs of the violent confrontation circulated.

The events of Bloody Sunday sparked outrage nationwide and triggered a wave of solidarity among civil rights activists and supporters. Driven by a desire for justice, thousands rallied to join the cause. Over the weeks that followed, two subsequent marches took place in Selma. These marches, known as the Turnaround Tuesday and the Successful Sunday, sought to emphasize the importance of enshrining voting rights for all American citizens.

Finally, on March 25, 1965, the third and final march commenced. This time, protected by federal troops and under court order, an estimated 25,000 people walked the 54-mile journey from Selma to Montgomery. This peaceful display of resilience and unity served as an unwavering symbol of the Civil Rights Movement. Along the way, participants faced verbal abuse and derogatory remarks, but they persisted, undeterred in their determination to secure voting rights.

Reaching the steps of the Alabama State Capitol on March 25, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic speech, known as How Long, Not Long. In his impassioned address, he celebrated this historic achievement and emphasized that the journey toward true equality was far from over. A little over four months later, on August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law.

The Selma to Montgomery marches of 1965 were a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights in America. These nonviolent demonstrations propelled the nation closer to its ideals of equality and justice, forever changing the course of history. The bravery and resilience displayed by those who marched became a testament to the power of unity and the unwavering belief in equal rights for all.