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'''1963''' was the 92nd year after the founding of the City of [[Birmingham]].
'''1963''' was the 92nd year after the founding of the City of [[Birmingham]].


A watershed in the [[Civil Rights Movement]] occurred in 1963 when Birmingham Civil Rights Movement leader [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] requested that [[Martin Luther King, Jr.]] and the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] (SCLC) come to Birmingham to help end segregation (see below). Together they launched "Project C" (for "Confrontation"), a massive assault on the Jim Crow system. During April and May daily sit-ins and mass marches were met with police repression, tear gas, attack dogs, and arrests. More than 3,000 people were arrested during these protests, many of the children. These protests were ultimately successful, leading not only to desegregation of public accommodations in Birmingham but also the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].
A watershed in the [[Civil Rights Movement]] occurred in 1963 when Birmingham Civil Rights Movement leader [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] requested that [[Martin Luther King Jr.]] and the [[Southern Christian Leadership Conference]] (SCLC) come to Birmingham to help end segregation (see below). Together they launched "Project C" (for "Confrontation"), a massive assault on the Jim Crow system. During April and May daily sit-ins and mass marches were met with police repression, tear gas, attack dogs, and arrests. More than 3,000 people were arrested during these protests, many of them children. These protests were ultimately successful, leading not only to desegregation of public accommodations in Birmingham but also the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].


While imprisoned for having taken part in a nonviolent protest, Dr. King wrote the now famous [[Letter from Birmingham Jail]], a defining treatise in his cause against segregation. Birmingham is also known for a bombing which occurred later that year, in which four black girls were killed by a [[1963 church bombing|bomb]] planted at the [[16th Street Baptist Church]]. The event would inspire the African-American poet Dudley Randall's opus, [[The Ballad of Birmingham]], as well as jazz musician John Coltrane's song, "Alabama."
While imprisoned for having taken part in a nonviolent protest, Dr. King wrote the now famous "[[Letter from Birmingham Jail]]," a defining treatise in his cause against segregation. Birmingham is also known for a bombing which occurred later that year, in which four black girls were killed by a [[1963 church bombing|bomb]] planted at the [[16th Street Baptist Church]]. The event would inspire the African-American poet Dudley Randall's opus, "[[Ballad of Birmingham]]," as well as jazz musician John Coltrane's song, "Alabama."


==Events==
==Events==
* [[January 26]]–[[January 27|27]]: 1963 March of Dimes Auto Show at [[Boutwell Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]].
* [[January 26]]–[[January 27|27]]: 1963 March of Dimes Auto Show at [[Boutwell Auditorium|Municipal Auditorium]].
* February: The American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums held their [[1963 AZA Convention|national convention]] in [[Birmingham]], with species conservation on the agenda.
* [[February 17]]–[[February 24|24]]: [[Vulcan]]'s torch signaled heart disease deaths rather than traffic fatalities for a week to support the Heart Fund Drive.
* [[February 17]]–[[February 24|24]]: [[Vulcan]]'s torch signaled heart disease deaths rather than traffic fatalities for a week to support the Heart Fund Drive.
* [[March 2]]:  Patsy Cline, Tex Ritter, and Jerry Lee Lewis performed at the [[Shower of Stars]] at[[Municipal Auditorium]] for the widow of Kansas City disc jockey Jack Call. (Cline died in a plane crash three days later.)
* [[March 31]]–[[April 26]]: The [[1963 Birmingham Transit strike]].
* [[March 31]]–[[April 26]]: The [[1963 Birmingham Transit strike]].
* April: The [[167th Theater Sustainment Command]] was ordered into federal service by President John Kennedy.
* June: The [[Birmingham Sailing Club]] was founded with 44 members.
* [[July 24]]: Major storms left thousands without power.
* [[July 24]]: Major storms left thousands without power.
* [[July 27]]: James Brown headlined a concert at [[Rickwood Field]].
* [[August 5]]: [[Martin Luther King Jr]], Ray Charles, James Baldwin, Joey Adams and [[Joe Louis]] shared a stage at [[Miles College]] for [[Salute to Freedom '63]].
* [[August 25]]: The [[Cahaba River Group]] split off from the [[Eastview 13 Klavern]] of the [[Ku Klux Klan]].
* December: Christmas decorations were expanded beyond the [[Birmingham Christmas trees|Birmingham Christmas tree]] in [[Woodrow Wilson Park]] to additional streets.
* [[December 23]]: The [[1963 Collegeville fire]] resulted in the deaths of six children.
* [[December 23]]: The [[1963 Collegeville fire]] resulted in the deaths of six children.
* [[December 31]]: A [[List of snowfalls|rare snowfall]] brought 8 inches to Birmingham.
* [[December 31]]: A [[List of snowfalls|rare snowfall]] brought 8 inches to Birmingham.
* The [[20th Special Forces Group]] moved from the [[Homewood National Guard Armory]] to the [[Oporto National Guard Armory|Oporto Armory]].
* The [[Birmingham Festival of Arts]] held the [[1963 Arts Around Us festival]].
* The [[Birmingham Festival of Arts]] held the [[1963 Arts Around Us festival]].
* The first railroad cars in the collection of the [[Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum]] were put on display at the site of the future [[Railroad Reservation Park]].
* The first railroad cars in the collection of the [[Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum]] were put on display at the site of the future [[Railroad Reservation Park]].
* [[Homewood]] bought the land for [[Spring Park]].
* [[Homewood]] bought the land for [[Spring Park]].
* [[Laura Knox]] founded the [[Southern Danceworks|Birmingham Creative Dance Group]].
* [[Laura Knox]] founded the [[Southern Danceworks|Birmingham Creative Dance Group]].
* 14-year-olds [[Dale Aston]] and [[Wendell Colbert]] founded [[The Torquays]] rock band.
* The [[Rotary Club of Shades Valley]] was founded.


===Business===
===Business===
[[Image:Downtown December 1963.jpg|right|thumb|375px|Christmas shopping on [[2nd Avenue North]] in December 1963. Photo by [[Spider Martin]].]]
* [[January 23]]: [[Western Supermarkets]] opened a location in [[Leeds]].
* [[January 23]]: [[Western Supermarkets]] opened a location in [[Leeds]].
* [[April 18]]: National discount retailer [[Maxam]] opened a location on [[Green Springs Highway]].
* June: [[Tootie's Kwik Stop]] opened on [[Green Springs Highway]]
* [[July 2]]: The [[Bank for Savings and Trust]] and [[Birmingham Trust National Bank]] approved their merger.
* [[July 2]]: The [[Bank for Savings and Trust]] and [[Birmingham Trust National Bank]] approved their merger.
* [[July 18]]: [[Parisian]] opened [[Parisian-West|a second store]] at [[Five Points West Shopping City]].
* [[August 19]]: [[Steiner Bank]] moved from the 1890 [[Steiner Building]] to modern offices at 1920 [[3rd Avenue North]].
* [[September 3]]: The [[Birmingham Transit Company]] was sold to the American Transit Company of St Louis, Missouri.
* [[September 3]]: The [[Birmingham Transit Company]] was sold to the American Transit Company of St Louis, Missouri.
* [[Ruby Ansley]] founded [[Ruby Ansley Interiors]]
* [[Ruby Ansley]] founded [[Ruby Ansley Interiors]]
* The [[Chapman Radio and Television Company]] began petitioning the FCC to allow them to broadcast on [[WTTO|Channel 21]].
* The [[Chapman Radio and Television Company]] began petitioning the FCC to allow them to broadcast on [[WTTO|Channel 21]].
* [[City Federal Savings & Loan]] moved into the former [[City Federal Building|Comer Building]].
* [[City Federal Savings & Loan]] moved into the newly renovated [[City Federal Building]].
* [[Kenneth Daniel]] became President of [[American Cast Iron Pipe Company]].
* [[Kenneth Daniel]] became President of [[American Cast Iron Pipe Company]].
* [[Edgewood Hardware]] opened.
* [[Edgewood Hardware]] opened.
* The [[Homewood Theatre]] closed for good.
* [[Fletcher Yeilding]] and [[Paul Tyson]] purchased the Tampa Bolt & Screw Co. to found [[House of Threads]].
* [[HGH Hardware]] was founded by [[Edwin R. Holcombe]].
* The [[Home Baking Company]] constructed a distribution center and retail outlet at 413 [[Finley Avenue]].
* The [[Homewood Theatre (cinema)|Homewood Theatre]] closed for good.
* [[Fob James]] founded Diversified Products Inc.
* [[Fob James]] founded Diversified Products Inc.
* The first public fishing area at [[Rock Mountain Lakes]] opened.
* [[Larry LaBerte]], son of owner [[Nuncie LaBerte]], began working at [[Nuncie's Music]].
* [[Mancha's]] Mexican restaurant was founded by [[John Mancha]].
* The original [[Milo's Hamburgers]] was forced to move due to construction of [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]].
* The original [[Milo's Hamburgers]] was forced to move due to construction of [[I-20]]/[[I-59|59]].
* [[Parisian]] opened a second store at [[Five Points West]].
* [[NelBran Glass|Nelson–Brantley Glass Company]] was bought by [[Larry Striplin, Jr]].
* [[Steiner Bank]] moved from the 1890 [[Steiner Building]] to modern offices at 1920 [[3rd Avenue North]].
* ''[[The Progressive Farmer]]'' renamed the "Progressive Home" section as "[[Southern Living]]" for the October issue.
* [[Larry Striplin, Jr]] bought the [[NelBran Glass|Nelson–Brantley Glass Company]].
* [[Larry Striplin Jr]] bought the [[NelBran Glass|Nelson–Brantley Glass Company]].
* [[Anne Tidmore]] founded [[Tidmore Flag and Banner]] in Montgomery.
* ''[[Birmingham Independent|The Cahaba Valley News]]'' began publishing weekly.


===Civil Rights Movement===
===Civil Rights Movement===
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* [[April 3]]-[[May 10]]: The [[Birmingham campaign]] of peaceful protest was carried out in downtown Birmingham.
* [[April 3]]-[[May 10]]: The [[Birmingham campaign]] of peaceful protest was carried out in downtown Birmingham.
** [[April 3]]: The "[[Birmingham Manifesto]]" was issued and the first organized sit-ins took place at downtown lunch counters.
** [[April 3]]: The "[[Birmingham Manifesto]]" was issued and the first organized sit-ins took place at downtown lunch counters.
** [[April 7]] (Palm  Sunday): Ministers [[John Thomas Porter]], [[Nelson H. Smith]] and [[A. D. King]] led a group of 2,000 marchers to protest the jailing of [[Civil Rights Movement]] leaders.
** [[April 6]]: [[Fred Shuttlesworth]] led the [[April 6 march|first mass march]] to [[Birmingham City Hall]] to petition for civil rights, including the right to peacefully assemble. He was arrested.
** [[April 7]] (Palm  Sunday): Ministers [[John Thomas Porter]], [[Nelson Smith Jr]] and [[A. D. King]] [[Palm Sunday march|led a group of more than 1,000 marchers]] to protest Shuttlesworth's jailing.
** [[April 11]]: The [[Birmingham Public Library]] board voted to desegregate the city's public libraries.
** [[April 11]]: The [[Birmingham Public Library]] board voted to desegregate the city's public libraries.
** [[April 12]] (Good Friday): [[Martin Luther King, Jr]] was arrested for parading without a permit. White clergymen issue "[[A Call for Unity]]", urging an end to demonstrations as a show of support for the incoming city council.  
** [[April 12]] (Good Friday): [[Martin Luther King, Jr]] was arrested for parading without a permit. White clergymen issue "[[A Call for Unity]]", urging an end to demonstrations as a show of support for the incoming city council.  
** [[May 2]]: The [[Children's Crusade]] began.
** [[May 2]]: The [[Children's Crusade]] began.
** [[May 3]]: [[Police dogs and firehoses]] marked the second day of the Children's Crusade.
** [[May 3]]: [[Police dogs and firehoses]] marked the second day of the Children's Crusade.
** [[May 10]]: A truce was announced, ending the [[Birmingham Campaign]].
** [[May 10]]: A [[Birmingham Truce|truce]] was announced, ending the [[Birmingham Campaign]].
* [[May 11]]: [[A. D. King]]'s [[A. D. King residence|residence]] and the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]] were hit by devastating bombs. [[May 1963 riot|Rioting]] spread across the city.
* [[May 11]]: [[A. D. King]]'s [[A. D. King residence|residence]] and the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]] were hit by devastating bombs. [[May 1963 riot|Rioting]] spread across the city.
* [[May 14]]: Thousands of protesters marched as a "[[Black Wall]]" through [[downtown Birmingham]] to challenge [[segregation]] at stores and lunch counters. Most business owners locked their doors for the day and posted armed guards.
* [[June 11]]: Governor [[George Wallace]] made his "[[stand in the schoolhouse door]]" to prevent integration of the [[University of Alabama]]. [[Vivian Malone]] and [[James Hood]] registered later that day.
* [[June 11]]: Governor [[George Wallace]] made his "[[stand in the schoolhouse door]]" to prevent integration of the [[University of Alabama]]. [[Vivian Malone]] and [[James Hood]] registered later that day.
* [[July 12]]: The Fifth U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that [[Birmingham City Schools]] must be desegregated, beginning that fall.
* [[June 29]]: [[Birmingham]]'s public golf courses reopened, officially [[Desegregation|desegregated]].
* [[July 23]]: The [[Birmingham City Council]] repealed its [[Segregation laws|segregation ordinances]] and reopened [[List of Birmingham parks|city parks]].
* [[July 12]]: The U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit ruled in [[Armstrong v. Board of Education]] that [[Birmingham City Schools]] must [[desegregation|desegregate]].
* [[September 10]]: [[Birmingham City Schools]] were integrated by National Guardsmen under orders from President Kennedy.
* [[July 23]]: The [[Birmingham City Council]] unanimously repealed its [[Segregation laws|segregation ordinances]] and reopened [[List of Birmingham parks|city parks]].
* [[September 15]]: [[16th Street Baptist Church]] was [[1963 church bombing|bombed]] in an act of terror. (See also [[Bombingham#1963|Bombingham]])
* [[August 10]]: Predominantly African-American [[St James United Methodist Church (Warrior)|St James United Methodist Church]] in [[Warrior]] was destroyed by arsonists.
* [[August 15]]: [[Loveman's]] department store was targeted by a tear gas bomb.
* [[September 10]]: President Kennedy ordered National Guard personnel to enforce the integration of [[Birmingham City Schools]].
* [[September 11]]: The [[Alabama State Troopers]] briefly blocked [[Richard Walker]] from entering [[Ramsay High School]] and [[Floyd Armstrong|Floyd]] and [[Dwight Armstrong]] from entering [[Graymont Elementary School]]. White students staged a walkout as [[Patricia Marcus]] and [[Josephine Powell]] began classes at [[West End High School]].
* [[September 15]]: [[16th Street Baptist Church]] was [[1963 church bombing|bombed]] in an act of terror. (''See also:'' [[List of racially-motivated bombings#1963|List of racially-motivated bombings]].)
* [[September 30]]: ''Newsweek'' published a feature story about the church bombing with a photograph by [[John Friedel]] on the cover.
 
===Education===
* A resolution was approved making [[Bessemer]] the site of one of the state's [[Bessemer State Technical College|first technical colleges]].
* [[Indian Springs School]]'s soccer program was started by [[Ray Woodard]].


===Government===
===Government===
[[Image:1963 Birmingham City Council.jpg|right|thumb|375px|The [[Birmingham City Council#1963|Birmingham City Council]] in 1963]]
[[Image:1963 Birmingham City Council.jpg|right|thumb|375px|The [[Birmingham City Council#1963|Birmingham City Council]] in 1963]]
* [[January 14]]: [[George Wallace]] was sworn in as [[Governor of Alabama]].
* [[January 14]]: [[George Wallace]] was sworn in as [[Governor of Alabama]].
* [[March 5]]: The [[1963 Birmingham mayoral election]], the first held under the [[Mayor-Council Act]], results in a runoff between [[Albert Boutwell]] and [[Bull Connor]]. (See also: [[1963 Birmingham City Council election]])
* [[March 5]]: The [[1963 Birmingham municipal election]], the first held under the [[Mayor-Council Act]], results in a runoff between mayoral candidates [[Albert Boutwell]] and [[Bull Connor]].
* [[April 2]]: [[Albert Boutwell]] defeated [[Bull Connor]] to become [[Mayor of Birmingham]].
* [[April 2]]: [[Albert Boutwell]] defeated [[Bull Connor]] to become [[Mayor of Birmingham]].
* [[April 17]]: The newly-sworn in [[Birmingham City Council]] attempted to assume power, but the [[Birmingham City Commission]] members refused to cede their positions.
* [[April 17]]: The newly-sworn in [[Birmingham City Council]] attempted to assume power, but the [[Birmingham City Commission]] members refused to cede their positions.
* [[April 23]]: Judge [[J. Edgar Bowron]] ruled that Mayor Boutwell and the City Council are the legal government of Birmingham.
* [[April 23]]: Judge [[J. Edgar Bowron]] ruled that Mayor Boutwell and the City Council are the legal government of Birmingham.
* [[May 23]]: The [[Alabama Supreme Court]] upheld Bowron's ruling in favor of the Mayor-Council government.
* [[May 23]]: The [[Alabama Supreme Court]] upheld Bowron's ruling in favor of the Mayor-Council government.
* [[June 1]]: Salary for the [[Mayor of Birmingham]] was raised from $15,000 to $25,000.
* [[July 16]]: The 212-member [[Community Affairs Committee]] was organized.
* [[August 7]]: The [[Birmingham City Council]] approved Mayor [[Albert Boutwell]]'s $15 million [[1964 Birmingham budget]].
* [[August 7]]: The [[Birmingham City Council]] approved Mayor [[Albert Boutwell]]'s $15 million [[1964 Birmingham budget]].
* [[November 5]]: The [[Regional Planning Commission|Birmingham-Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission]] was created.
* [[November 5]]: The [[Regional Planning Commission|Birmingham-Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission]] was created.
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=== Religion ===
=== Religion ===
* April: [[Albert Henry III]] succeeded interim pastor [[John Christian]] as pastor of [[Pilgrim Church|Pilgrim Congregational Church]].
* [[Nahum Benathan]] became rabbi of [[Knesseth Israel Congregation]].
* [[Nahum Benathan]] became rabbi of [[Knesseth Israel Congregation]].
* [[Martin Coleman]] succeeded [[James Harris]] as pastor of [[Avondale United Methodist Church]].
* [[Ben Lacy, Jr]] succeeded [[Gene Poe]] as pastor of [[South Highland Presbyterian Church]].
* [[Ben Lacy, Jr]] succeeded [[Gene Poe]] as pastor of [[South Highland Presbyterian Church]].
* [[Mack McCollum]] succeeded [[Billy Oswold]] as pastor of [[First Baptist Church of Hoover|Patton Chapel Baptist Church]].
* [[Pilgrim Church|Pilgrim Congregational Church]] established a day school.
* [[Pilgrim Church|Pilgrim Congregational Church]] established a day school.
* [[Arnold Royal]] succeeded [[Karl Friedman]] as president of [[Temple Beth-El]].
* [[Arnold Royal]] succeeded [[Karl Friedman]] as president of [[Temple Beth-El]].
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* [[Wallace Wirtz]] succeeded [[Robert Woodfield]] as rector of [[St Andrew's Episcopal Church]].
* [[Wallace Wirtz]] succeeded [[Robert Woodfield]] as rector of [[St Andrew's Episcopal Church]].
* [[Morton Wallack]] succeeded [[Abraham Mesch]] as rabbi of Temple Beth-El.
* [[Morton Wallack]] succeeded [[Abraham Mesch]] as rabbi of Temple Beth-El.
* [[St Raphael Catholic Church]] was founded in [[Graysville]].


===Sports===
===Sports===
* [[January 1]]: The [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama Crimson Tide]] beat Oklahoma 17-0 in the Orange Bowl.  
* [[January 1]]: The [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama Crimson Tide]] beat Oklahoma 17-0 in the Orange Bowl.  
* [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] won the [[1963 Iron Bowl]].
* [[November 30]]: [[Auburn Tigers football|Auburn]] won the [[1963 Iron Bowl]].
* [[Roberta Baumgardner|Roberta Alison]] became the first woman to attend the [[University of Alabama]] on an athletic scholarship.  
* [[Al Belcher]] teamed up with Kansas City A's owner [[Charlie Finley]] to bring the [[Birmingham Barons]] back for the [[1964 Birmingham Barons|1964 season]].
* [[Al Belcher]] teamed up with Kansas City A's owner [[Charlie Finley]] to bring the [[Birmingham Barons]] back for the [[1964 Birmingham Barons|1964 season]].
* [[Bessemer High School]] won a state football championship in [[Snitz Snider]]'s final season as coach.
* The [[Birmingham Black Barons]] played their  [[1963 Birmingham Barons|final season]].
* The [[Birmingham Black Barons]] played their  [[1963 Birmingham Barons|final season]].
* [[Buck Buchanan]] was the first player selected overall in the year's AFL draft.
* [[Billy Joe]] earned AFL Rookie of the Year honors with the Denver Broncos.
* [[Billy Joe]] earned AFL Rookie of the Year honors with the Denver Broncos.
* [[Lee Roy Jordan]] was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
* [[Simpson Pepper]] began announcing games at [[Legion Field]], becoming known as the Voice of Legion Field.
* [[Jimmy Piersall]] was traded to the New York Mets.
* [[Tommie Reynolds]] began his Major League career with the Kansas City Athletics.
* [[Tommie Reynolds]] began his Major League career with the Kansas City Athletics.
* [[Bubba Scott]] succeeded [[Bobby Bowden]] as coach of the [[Samford Bulldogs football|Howard Bulldogs football team]].
* [[Virgil Trucks]] was hired as a pitching coach by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
* Coach [[Ray Woodard]] introduced soccer to Alabama with his first boys' team at [[Indian Springs School]].
* Coach [[Ray Woodard]] introduced soccer to Alabama with his first boys' team at [[Indian Springs School]].
* [[Al Worthington]] returned to Major League Baseball after two years in the minors.


==Individuals==
==Individuals==
* April: [[Jesse Champion]] rescued one of his black students from a supposed "citizens' arrest for theft" by two white boys.
* July: [[Ben Branscomb]]  personally tested 200 Congressmen for emphysema using a mobile diagnostic unit of his own design.
* [[Paul Bailey]] left his position at [[University of Montevallo|Alabama College]] to join [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[John Beecher]] began a two year stint as poet in residence at the University of Santa Clara.
* [[John Beecher]] began a two year stint as poet in residence at the University of Santa Clara.
* [[Bill Burns]] joined the U.S. Navy.
* [[Ralph Butler]] was assigned to the [[Birmingham FBI office]] to assist  in the investigation of the [[1963 church bombing|bombing]] of [[16th Street Baptist Church]].
* [[Chas Chamberlain]] moved to Birmingham with his parents.
* [[Chas Chamberlain]] moved to Birmingham with his parents.
* [[Larry Connatser]] quit his job to paint full time.
* [[Bob Curlee]] left his position as associate pastor of [[Southside Baptist Church]] to to take the pulpit at First Baptist Church of Ashland in [[Clay County]].
* [[Kerry James Marshall]]'s family moved from Birmingham to Los Angeles.
* [[Robert Miller]] began his ministry as an associate pastor at First Methodist Church in Anniston.
* [[Chuck Morgan]] fled Birmingham with his family after receiving death threats for a speech condemning anyone who supported segregation as being guilty in the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church.  
* [[Chuck Morgan]] fled Birmingham with his family after receiving death threats for a speech condemning anyone who supported segregation as being guilty in the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church.  


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[[Image:Charles Barkley.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Charles Barkley]]
[[Image:Charles Barkley.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Charles Barkley]]
[[Image:A C Roper.jpg|right|thumb|150px|A. C. Roper]]
[[Image:A C Roper.jpg|right|thumb|150px|A. C. Roper]]
* [[February 17]]: [[Michael Jordan]], basketball legend and one-time [[Birmingham Barons|Birmingham Baron]]
* [[February 15]]: Siberian tigers [[Olga]] and [[Ivan]] were born at the [[Birmingham Zoo]].
* [[February 20]]: [[Charles Barkley]]
* [[February 17]]: [[Michael Jordan]], basketball player and one-time [[Birmingham Barons|Birmingham Baron]]
* [[February 20]]: [[Charles Barkley]], basketball player
* [[March 12]]: [[Tim Hollis]], author and historian
* [[March 12]]: [[Tim Hollis]], author and historian
* [[March 28]]: [[Chuck Jaeger]], [[Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]] sergeant
* [[March 28]]: [[Chuck Jaeger]], [[Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]] sergeant
* [[April 5]]: [[John Archibald]], ''[[Birmingham News]]'' columnist
* [[April 19]]: [[Wendy Holcombe]], banjo player
* [[April 19]]: [[Wendy Holcombe]], banjo player
* [[May 16]]: [[Jon Coffelt]], artist
* [[May 16]]: [[Jon Coffelt]], artist
* [[June 6]]: [[Claude Estes IV]], CPA
* [[June 6]]: [[Claude Estes IV]], CPA
* [[June 14]]: [[James Wilson III]], real estate developer
* [[June 19]]: [[Sandy Sanderson]], [[Birmingham Police Department|Birmingham Police officer]]
* [[July 6]]: [[Shelia Smoot]], television reporter and politician
* [[July 6]]: [[Shelia Smoot]], television reporter and politician
* [[August 28]]: [[Al Sutton]], Baptist minister
* [[August 28]]: [[Al Sutton]], Baptist minister
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* [[September 8]]: [[David Lee Smith]], actor
* [[September 8]]: [[David Lee Smith]], actor
* September 8: [[Phillip Griffith]], photographer
* September 8: [[Phillip Griffith]], photographer
* [[October 23]]: [[Hollis Towns]], president of [[Alabama Media Group]]
* [[October 24]]: [[Joe DeCamillis]], artist
* [[October 24]]: [[Joe DeCamillis]], artist
* [[November 6]]: [[A. C. Roper]], [[Birmingham Police Department]] chief
* [[November 6]]: [[A. C. Roper]], [[Birmingham Police Department]] chief
* [[November 27]]: [[Greg Stanley]], Air Force commander
* [[David Allison]], biostatistician and UAB Distinguished Professor
* [[Brett Blackledge]], reporter
* [[Brett Blackledge]], reporter
* [[Curt Bloom]], radio announcer
* [[Allen Bolton]], UAB administrator
* [[Bret Bradford]], sculptor
* [[Bret Bradford]], sculptor
* [[John Hallum]], actor
* [[John Hallum]], actor
* [[Curtis Long]], symphony executive director
* [[Edith Mayomi]], former [[Jefferson State Community College]] employee  
* [[Edith Mayomi]], former [[Jefferson State Community College]] employee  
* [[David Meeks]], Associated Press editor
* [[David Meeks]], Associated Press editor
* [[Ronald Moon Jr]], physician
* [[Artis Murphy]], literacy advocate
* [[Artis Murphy]], literacy advocate
* [[Curtis Rigney]], [[Alabaster Police Department|Alabaster Police Chief]]
* [[Seay family|Yolanda Seay]], convicted criminal
* [[Patrick Smith]], chief of the [[Birmingham Police Department]]
* [[Marcia Starks]], home health aide
* [[Jennifer Trammell]], civic leader
* [[Jennifer Trammell]], civic leader
* [[Victorine]], [[Birmingham Zoo]] gorilla
* [[Victorine]], [[Birmingham Zoo]] gorilla
* [[April Williams]], [[Birmingham Board of Education]] member
* [[Nikita Williams]], superintendent of [[Midfield City Schools]]
* [[Nikita Williams]], superintendent of [[Midfield City Schools]]
===Graduations===
* [[William Cobb]] earned a master's in creative writing at Vanderbilt University.
* [[Ben Erdreich]] graduated from the [[University of Alabama School of Law]].
* [[Mike Froning]] earned bachelor of science in mathematics at the University of Notre Dame.
* [[Charles Gaines]] earned his bachelor's degree at [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Ted Galloway]] completed his master of arts at the [[University of Alabama]].
* [[Mike Goodrich]] graduated from [[Indian Springs School]].
* [[Cleveland Hammonds]] earned his master's in guidance and counseling from Southern Illinois University.
* [[Bev Head]] earned a bachelor's in economics from Yale College.
* [[Mal Moore]] earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Alabama.
* [[Gray Plosser]] graduated from Indian Springs School.
* [[Ben Saxon]] graduated from [[Bessemer High School]].
* [[Richard Shelby]] graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law.


===Marriages===
===Marriages===
* [[June 20]]: [[Charles Gaines]] and [[Patricia Ellison]]
* [[June 20]]: [[Charles Gaines]] and [[Patricia Ellison]]
* [[Larry Drummond]] to the former [[Abbie Drummond|Abbie Kiker]].
* Chico Gale and [[Patti Wheeler]]
* [[Fred Youngs, Jr]] and Miss Sikes
* [[Fred Youngs, Jr]] and Miss Sikes
===Divorces===
* [[Hank Penny]] and Sue Thompson.


[[Image:Albert Boutwell.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Albert Boutwell. {{BPL permission caption|http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll6,607}}]]
[[Image:Albert Boutwell.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Albert Boutwell. {{BPL permission caption|http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll6,607}}]]
===Offices===
===Offices===
* [[January 14]]: [[George Wallace]] succeeded [[John Patterson]] as [[Governor of Alabama]]
* [[January 14]]: [[George Wallace]] succeeded [[John Patterson]] as [[Governor of Alabama]].
* [[James Allen]] succeeded [[Albert Boutwell]] as [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama]].
* [[Blanton Bennett]] succeeded [[Howard Turner]] as [[Walker County Sheriff]].
* [[Mel Bailey]] succeeded [[Holt McDowell]] as [[Jefferson County Sheriff]].
* [[Paul Bailey]] left [[University of Montevallo|Alabama College]] for [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Albert Boutwell]] succeeded [[Art Hanes]] as [[Mayor of Birmingham]].
* [[Albert Boutwell]] succeeded [[Art Hanes]] as [[Mayor of Birmingham]].
* [[Mel Bailey]] succeeded [[Holt McDowell]] as [[Jefferson County Sheriff]]
* [[Paul Bailey]] left [[University of Montevallo|Alabama College]] for [[Birmingham-Southern College]]
* [[Harvie Branscomb]] retired from the Chancellorship of Vanderbilt University.
* [[Harvie Branscomb]] retired from the Chancellorship of Vanderbilt University.
* [[Thomas Brigham]] became chair of the Alabama Repulican Party.
* [[Delos Culp]] succeeded [[Howard Phillips]] as [[President of the University of Montevallo|President of Alabama College]].
* [[Delos Culp]] succeeded [[Howard Phillips]] as [[President of the University of Montevallo|President of Alabama College]].
* [[John Grenier]] became chair of the Alabama Republican Party.
* [[John Grenier]] became chair of the Alabama Republican Party.
* [[Nina Miglionico]] became the first woman elected to the Birmingham city government.
* [[Nina Miglionico]] became the first woman elected to the Birmingham city government.
* [[Ira Myers]] became Alabama's state health officer.
* [[Ira Myers]] became Alabama's state health officer.
* [[Howard M. Phillips]] succeeded [[Henry Stanford]] as President of [[Birmingham-Southern College]]
* [[Howard M. Phillips]] succeeded [[Henry Stanford]] as President of [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Dave Roddy]] was made music director at [[WSGN-AM|WSGN]].
* [[Clarke Stallworth]] became city editor for the ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]''.
* [[Clarke Stallworth]] became city editor for the ''[[Birmingham Post-Herald]]''.
* [[Patrick Sullivan]] was assigned to priestly duties in North Alabama.
* [[Patrick J. Sullivan]] was assigned to priestly duties in North Alabama.


===Awards===
===Awards===
* American Football League Rookie of the Year: [[Billy Joe]]
* Birmingham Realtor of the Year: [[Bill Watts, Jr]]
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Judy Short]]
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Judy Short]]
* [[Miss Alabama USA]]: [[Dinah Armstrong]]
* [[Miss Samford]]: [[Nancy Howard]]
* [[Mr Crestwood]]: [[Joe Weeks]]
* [[Mr Crestwood]]: [[Joe Weeks]]
* [[Monday Morning Quarterback Club]] Coach of the Year: [[Thompson Reynolds]]
* [[John Grenier]] was elected Chairman of the [[Alabama Republican Party]].


===Graduations===
=== Retirements ===
* [[William Cobb]] earned a master's in creative writing at Vanderbilt University.
* [[Billy Gamble]] retired as a chief warrant officer from the U.S. Navy.
* [[Charles Gaines]] earned his bachelor's degree at [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Irita Van Doren]] retired from the ''New York Herald Tribune''.
* [[Mike Goodrich]] graduated from [[Indian Springs School]].
* [[Cleveland Hammonds]] earned his master's in guidance and counseling from Southern Illinois University.
* [[Bev Head]] earned a bachelor's in economics from Yale College.
* [[Gray Plosser]] graduated from Indian Springs School.
* [[Ben Saxon]] graduated from [[Bessemer High School]].


[[Image:Collins McNair Robertson Wesley.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Collins, McNair, Robertson, and Wesley]]
[[Image:Collins McNair Robertson Wesley.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Collins, McNair, Robertson, and Wesley]]
===Deaths===
===Deaths===
* [[September 15]]:  [[Addie Mae Collins]], [[Denise McNair]], [[Carole Robertson]], and [[Cynthia Wesley]] died in the [[1963 church bombing|bombing]] of the [[16th Street Baptist Church]].  Teenagers [[Johnnie Robinson]] and [[Virgil Ware]] were killed in the bombing's aftermath.
* [[February 6]]: [[Sumangalo]], Buddhist priest and monk
* [[March 2]]: [[Charles Carraway]], physician and [[Carraway Hospital]] founder
* [[March 12]]: [[Frank Merritt]], theater owner
* April: [[Simon Kessler]], businessman
* [[May 1]]: [[Lee Bidgood]], founding dean of [[Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration]]
* August: [[Henry Hury]], theater owner/manager
* [[September 15]]:  [[Addie Mae Collins]], [[1963 church bombing|church bombing]] victim
* September 15: [[Denise McNair]], [[1963 church bombing|church bombing]] victim
* September 15: [[Carole Robertson]], [[1963 church bombing|church bombing]] victim
* September 15:  [[Johnnie Robinson]], bombing aftermath victim
* September 15: [[Cynthia Wesley]], [[1963 church bombing|church bombing]] victim
* September 15: [[Virgil Ware]], bombing aftermath victim
* [[October 19]]: [[Walter McAdory]], former [[Jefferson County Sheriff]]
* [[October 19]]: [[Walter McAdory]], former [[Jefferson County Sheriff]]
* [[December 1]]: [[Holt McDowell]], [[Jefferson County Sheriff]]
* December 1: [[Eula Smith]], United Daughters of the Confederacy leader
* [[December 14]]: [[Dinah Washington]], blues singer
* [[December 14]]: [[Dinah Washington]], blues singer
* [[December 25]]: A 14-year-old [[Woodlawn High School]] student was found dead from injuries sustained during a fall and exposure to the cold near [[Eastwood Mall]].
* [[December 25]]: A 14-year-old [[Woodlawn High School]] student was found dead from injuries sustained during a fall and exposure to the cold near [[Eastwood Mall]].
Line 158: Line 271:
[[Image:Letter from Birmingham City Jail cover.jpg|right|150px]]
[[Image:Letter from Birmingham City Jail cover.jpg|right|150px]]
* [[January 16]]: [[An Appeal for Law and Order and Common Sense]]
* [[January 16]]: [[An Appeal for Law and Order and Common Sense]]
* [[April 3]]: ''To Kill A Mockingbird'' had its Birmingham premiere at the [[Melba Theatre]] with [[Mary Badham]] and [[Phillip Alford]] in attendance.
* [[April 3]]: The [[Birmingham Manifesto]] was published.
* [[April 12]]: [[A Call For Unity]]
* [[April 12]]: [[A Call For Unity]]
* [[April 16]]: [[Letter from Birmingham Jail]]
* [[April 16]]: [[Letter from Birmingham Jail]]
Line 163: Line 278:
* [[Hal Lynch]] starred in the Broadway production of ''Spoon River Anthology''
* [[Hal Lynch]] starred in the Broadway production of ''Spoon River Anthology''
* Austin 3-manual, 44-rank organ (Opus 2386) at [[McCoy United Methodist Church]]
* Austin 3-manual, 44-rank organ (Opus 2386) at [[McCoy United Methodist Church]]
===Music===
* ''Angels and Demons at Play'', [[Sun Ra]] and his Myth Science Arkestra
* ''When Sun Comes Out'', Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra


===Buildings===
===Buildings===
[[Image:2121 Building under construction.jpg|right|thumb|200px|2121 Building]]
[[Image:Fritz Woehle residence.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Fritz Woehle residence]]
[[Image:Fritz Woehle residence.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Fritz Woehle residence]]
* [[2121 Building]]
* [[Steiner Bank]] office at 1920 [[3rd Avenue North]]
* [[3349 Brookwood Road]]
* [[3349 Brookwood Road]]
* [[Bankhead Lock and Dam]]
* [[Birmingham City Jail]], renovations and additions
* [[Birmingham Sailing Club]] club house, docks, and launch ramps
* [[Fritz Woehle residence]]
* [[Fritz Woehle residence]]
* 6-story, 50 room addition to the [[University Place Apartments|Guest House Motor Inn]]
* 6-story, 50 room addition to the [[University Place Apartments|Guest House Motor Inn]]
* June: [[Miller's Ferry Bridge|Horseshoe Bend Bridge]] was washed out by floodwaters following heavy rains.
* [[Hueytown City Hall]]
* [[Hueytown City Hall]]
* [[Jones Valley High School]] (now [[Jones Valley Middle School]])
* [[Memory Leake Robinson Hall]] at [[Howard University]]
* [[Milo's Hamburgers]] second location on [[10th Avenue North]]
* [[Milo's Hamburgers]] second location on [[10th Avenue North]]
* New classrooms at [[Minor High School]]
* New classrooms at [[Minor High School]]
* [[Pizitz Tire Center]], [[Roebuck Shopping Center]]
* [[Pratt City Library]] on [[2nd Street Pratt City]]
* [[Pratt City Library]] on [[2nd Street Pratt City]]
* First contracts were signed for construction of the [[Red Mountain Expressway]]
* First contracts were signed for construction of the [[Red Mountain Expressway]]
* [[Shades Mountain Baptist Church]] opened a new 1,500-seat sanctuary and fellowship hall.
* A large, electrically-lit cross was mounted to the tower of [[Third Presbyterian Church]]
* A large, electrically-lit cross was mounted to the tower of [[Third Presbyterian Church]]
* [[December 15]]: The nearly-completed [[Parliament House]] hotel was lit up with neon for Christmas.
====Demolitions====
* June: The former [[Baker School (Fairfield)|Baker School]] in [[Fairfield]] was demolished to make way for a new school building.
* August: The [[Strand Theater]] was demolished to make way for new parking deck for [[Birmingham Trust National Bank]].
===Music===
* ''One Grain of Sand'', [[Odetta]]
* ''Odetta Sings Folk Songs'', Odetta
* ''Angels and Demons at Play'', [[Sun Ra]] and his Myth Science Arkestra
* ''When Sun Comes Out'', Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Art Hanes 1963.jpg|[[Art Hanes]] c. 1963
Image:1963 Steiner Bank building.jpg|Rendering for the 1963 [[Steiner Bank]] building
Image:1963 Birmingham City Council.jpg|The inaugural [[Birmingham City Council]]
Image:Gaston Motel marchers.JPG|[[Birmingham Police Department|Birmingham police]] surveillance photo of marchers gathering at the [[A. G. Gaston Motel]]
Image:Hudson police dogs 1963.jpg|Bill Hudson's iconic photo of [[Police dogs and firehoses|police dogs]] being used on Civil Rights protestors
Image:Moore fire hoses 1963.jpg|Charles Moore's iconic photo of [[Police dogs and firehoses|fire hoses]] being used on Civil Rights protestors
Image:1963 aftermath of AD King house bombing.jpg|[[A. D. King residence]] after it was bombed
Image:Stand in the Schoolhouse door overview.jpg|The scene at [[George Wallace]]'s "[[Stand in the schoolhouse door]]"
Image:Wallace stand.jpg|George Wallace's "Stand in the schoolhouse door"
Image:Vivian Malone registering.jpg|[[Vivian Malone]] registers at [[University of Alabama|Alabama]]
Image:Bull Connor 1963.jpg|[[Bull Connor]] addressing the [[Tuscaloosa White Citizens Council]]
Image:Arthur Shores 1963.jpg|Arthur Shores in 1963
Image:J B Stoner and Al Kuettner 1963.jpg|Segregationist [[J. B. Stoner]] speaking to a reporter
Image:1963 Woodlawn HS protest.jpg|Integration protestors at [[Woodlawn High School]]
Image:Graymont School integration.png|A mother withdraws her son from [[Graymont School]] after it's integrated
Image:1963 church bombing.jpg|[[16th Street Baptist Church]] after the [[1963 church bombing|bombing]]
Image:16th St BC bombed office 1963.jpg|The church office after the bombing
Image:Albert Boutwell 1963.jpg|Mayor [[Albert Boutwell]] in 1963
Image:Friedel Newsweek cover 1963.jpg|Newsweek cover about the church bombing
</gallery>


==Context==
==Context==

Latest revision as of 17:55, 6 March 2024

1963 was the 92nd year after the founding of the City of Birmingham.

A watershed in the Civil Rights Movement occurred in 1963 when Birmingham Civil Rights Movement leader Fred Shuttlesworth requested that Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) come to Birmingham to help end segregation (see below). Together they launched "Project C" (for "Confrontation"), a massive assault on the Jim Crow system. During April and May daily sit-ins and mass marches were met with police repression, tear gas, attack dogs, and arrests. More than 3,000 people were arrested during these protests, many of them children. These protests were ultimately successful, leading not only to desegregation of public accommodations in Birmingham but also the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

While imprisoned for having taken part in a nonviolent protest, Dr. King wrote the now famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," a defining treatise in his cause against segregation. Birmingham is also known for a bombing which occurred later that year, in which four black girls were killed by a bomb planted at the 16th Street Baptist Church. The event would inspire the African-American poet Dudley Randall's opus, "Ballad of Birmingham," as well as jazz musician John Coltrane's song, "Alabama."

Events

Business

Christmas shopping on 2nd Avenue North in December 1963. Photo by Spider Martin.

Civil Rights Movement

ACMHR pin.jpg
Main article: Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham

Education

Government

The Birmingham City Council in 1963

Religion

Sports

Individuals

Births

Charles Barkley
A. C. Roper

Graduations

Marriages

Divorces

Albert Boutwell. courtesy BPL Archives

Offices

Awards

Retirements

Collins, McNair, Robertson, and Wesley

Deaths

See also List of Birmingham homicides in 1963

Works

Letter from Birmingham City Jail cover.jpg

Buildings

2121 Building
Fritz Woehle residence

Demolitions

Music

  • One Grain of Sand, Odetta
  • Odetta Sings Folk Songs, Odetta
  • Angels and Demons at Play, Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra
  • When Sun Comes Out, Sun Ra and his Myth Science Arkestra

Gallery

Context

In 1963, the Vietnam War continued. Travel and financial transactions by U.S. citizens with Cuba were prohibited. The Beatles recorded and release their debut album, Please Please Me. Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 705 crashed in the Florida Everglades killing all 43 persons aboard. Country music superstar Patsy Cline was killed in a plane crash. The Alcatraz Island federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay closed. The Coca-Cola Company introduced its first diet drink, Tab cola. NASA flew the final Mercury program mission. Vostok 6 carried Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman, into space. The Supreme Court ruled in Abington School District v. Schempp that state-mandated Bible reading in public schools is unconstitutional. Pope Paul VI succeeded Pope John XXIII.

Also in 1963, ZIP Codes were introduced. Hurricane Flora hit Hispaniola and Cuba killing nearly 7,000 people. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson became the 36th President. Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin was later shot dead by Jack Ruby on live national television. A lightning strike caused the crash of Pan Am Flight 214 near Elkton, Maryland, killing 81 people. Kenya and Zanzibar became independent from Great Britain. The cruise ship Lakonia burned 180 miles north of Madeira, killing 128.

Books published in 1963 included Planet of the Apes (La Planète des Singes) by Pierre Boulle, Inside Mr. Enderby by Anthony Burgess, The Clocks by Agatha Christie, The Collector by John Fowles, On Her Majesty's Secret Service by Ian Fleming, The Spy who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré, Ice Station Zebra by Alistair MacLean, Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, and The Graduate by Charles Webb.

Top pop music hits of 1963 included "He's So Fine" by The Chiffons, "Fingertips Pt. 2" by Little Stevie Wonder, "Sugar Shack" by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs, and "Dominique" by The Singing Nun. The Grammy Awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year went to "Days of Wine and Roses" by Henry Mancini. Album of the Year went to The Barbra Streisand Album by Barbra Streisand. Best New Artist was awarded to Ward Swingle of The Swingle Singers.

The top-grossing films of 1963 included Cleopatra, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, How the West Was Won, The Birds, and From Russia With Love. The Academy Award for Best Picture went to Tom Jones, as did Best Director (Tony Richardson). Best Actor went to Sidney Poitier for Lilies of the Field, while Best Actress went to Patricia Neal for Hud.

Television premieres of 1963 included Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, General Hospital, The Outer Limits, The Fugitive, and Petticoat Junction. Also premiering in the United Kingdom was BBC television science fiction series Doctor Who. Series that ended in 1963 included The Voice of Firestone, The Real McCoys, and Leave It to Beaver,

Notable births in 1963 included baseball pitcher David Cone, singer and actress Vanessa L. Williams, model and actress Kathy Ireland, chess player Garry Kasparov, actor Eric McCormack, entertainer Conan O'Brien, martial artist and actor Jet Li, actress Natasha Richardson, comedian and actor Mike Myers, actor Johnny Depp, actress Helen Hunt, singer George Michael, actress Phoebe Cates, actress Lisa Kudrow, rapper Coolio, computer hacker Kevin Mitnick, singer Whitney Houston, actor John Stamos, singer Tori Amos, singer Richard Marx, baseball player Mark McGwire, and actor Brad Pitt.

Notable deaths included businessman and politician Robert S. Kerr, country singer Patsy Cline, Pope John XXIII, civil rights activist W. E. B. Du Bois, conductor Fritz Reiner, criminal Robert Stroud, writer Aldous Huxley, President John F. Kennedy, novelist C. S. Lewis, and wrestler "Gorgeous George" Wagner.

1960s
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Births - Deaths - Establishments - Events - Works
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