Selma, Alabama holds significant historical importance in the civil rights movement in the United States. One of the most notable events that took place in Selma was the Selma to Montgomery marches, which were a series of three protest marches in 1965. The marches were organized to demand equal voting rights for African Americans, as they faced discriminatory practices that prevented them from registering to vote.

The first march, known as "Bloody Sunday," occurred on March 7, 1965, when peaceful demonstrators were violently attacked by Alabama state troopers as they tried to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The violent crackdown was televised and drew national attention to the struggle for civil rights in the South.

Following this brutal incident, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders led a second march, which was supported by federal court protection, on March 9. The third and successful march, known as the Selma to Montgomery March, took place from March 21 to March 25 and resulted in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to remove barriers to voting for African Americans.

Selma became a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, showcasing the determination and resilience of African Americans in their fight for equality and justice. The events in Selma are commemorated annually with the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee, and the city's history is a reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial justice in America.