Black Heritage in Alabama

It's easy to underestimate the importance of Black Heritage in Alabama. Fortunately, many events, sites and landmarks throughout our state tell the story.

We invite you to join in special African American celebrations scheduled throughout the year in Alabama. For example, get a glimpse of black pioneer life during Black History Month at Old Alabama Town in Montgomery

Visit the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma where the Bridge Crossing Jubilee each March recalls the struggle for voting and civil rights in America.  See the Civil Rights history page on this website for more detail on civil rights museums and attractions. Learn about the achievements of Dr. George Washington Carver during the Carver Crafts Festival each may in Tuskegee.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States and there are various celebrations around the state each June.

Enjoy the W.C. Handy Music Festival in Florence which celebrates the ‘Father of the Blues’ in the north of the state each July, plus you can visit the W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library. W.C. Handy - The Father of the Blues - was born in Florence in 1873 in a simple cabin that today houses a large collection of his personal papers, memorabilia and artifacts. Handy composed such well-known blues jewels as St. Louis Blues, Beale Street Blues, and Memphis Blues. Feel the blues down to your toes standing next to the very piano that shook with St. Louis Blues for the first time; see his hand-written sheets of music-originals of many of his tunes.

In the south of the state on the Gulf Coast, Mobile celebrates ethnic music in style at The Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Jazz Festival every Summer.

Watch classic footballs rivalries between Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) during the Magic City Classic each October in Birmingham and the Turkey Day Classic each November in Montgomery. And celebrate the traditions of Kwanzaa at the Civil Rights Institute each December in Birmingham.

For more information on any of the above email alabama@deep-south-usa.com