Remembering The Selma Marches 50 Years Later

Photo: http://www.whitehouse.gov

Fifty years ago, the first Selma march took place on March 7th, 1965, lead by Martin Luther King Jr. Two days later, on March 9th, 600 marchers were attacked by state troopers and protestors at  Edmund Pettus Bridge after leaving Selma. The violent and devastating images and footage were seen around the world, and the day became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

This weekend, thousands travel to Selma, Alabama to see President Barack Obama at the 50th anniversary of a landmark event of the civil rights movement.

It was because of the marchers efforts that Congress passed the Voting Rights Act just a few months later. The Voting Rights Act was designed to eliminate legal barriers at the state and local level that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote — after nearly a century of unconstitutional discrimination.

The First Family will travel to Selma on Sunday, with President Obama delivering remarks on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Tune in tomorrow afternoon to watch the President’s remarks live at WhiteHouse.gov/Selma