Congressional Medal of Honor Awarded to Four Little Girls Killed in 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing
President Obama has signed a bill that awards the Congressional Medal of Honor to the four little girls killed in the 1963 KKK bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL.
The girls – Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair – were killed on Sunday morning when members of the Klan planted dynamite in the Church’s basement.
Their deaths shocked the nation and the world, and stands as one of the most violent, horrific events of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award given to civilians, and includes a list of recipients, such as the many victims of the September 11th attacks in Washington and New York. The signing took place at the White House, after the President returned from Annapolis, where he delivered a commencement speech at the Naval Academy.
Several family members of the girls who were killed were in attendance in addition to members of Congress at the time of the signing.
Thoughts on the tragic deaths of these four little girls?
Is the Congressional Medal of Honor a worthy tribute?
Sound off below!