Selma, Alabama holds significant importance in Black history due to its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In 1965, the city became the focal point for the voting rights campaign led by activists, including Martin Luther King Jr. The events that unfolded in Selma ultimately led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The most notable event in Selma's history occurred on March 7, 1965, known as "Bloody Sunday." Civil rights activists, including John Lewis and Hosea Williams, attempted to march from Selma to Montgomery to demand equal voting rights for African Americans. They were met with brutal violence from state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. The images of peaceful protesters being beaten and tear-gassed shocked the nation and galvanized support for the civil rights movement.

Following Bloody Sunday, Martin Luther King Jr. and thousands of other supporters joined the march from Selma to Montgomery, which took place from March 21 to March 25, 1965. This successful march drew attention to the need for federal voting rights legislation and directly contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act later that year.

Selma's history as a battleground for civil rights activism has made it a symbol of resistance and perseverance in the quest for equality. Today, Selma continues to honor its legacy through commemorative events, historic sites, and ongoing efforts to promote social justice and voting rights for all.