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Birmingham History Timeline

Alabama: Mobile, AL - Montgomery, AL

Today in American History

Events in Birmingham History

  • 1946-04-13 Eddie Klepp, a white pitcher signed by defending Negro League champ Cleveland Buckeyes, is barred from field in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1948-05-01 Glenn Taylor, Idaho Senator, arrested in Birmingham, Alabama, for trying to enter a meeting through a door marked "for Negroes"
  • 1949-07-01 WBRC TV channel 6 in Birmingham, AL (ABC) begins broadcasting

Alabama Bars Robinson All-Stars

1953-10-08 Birmingham, Alabama, bars Jackie Robinson's Negro-White All-Stars from playing there Robinson gives in & drops white players from his group

Baseball Player Jackie Robinson
  • 1955-04-28 WBIQ TV channel 10 in Birmingham, Alabama (PBS) begins broadcasting
  • 1956-02-15 Pirates & KC As cancel an exhibition game in Birmingham Alabama, because of local ordinance barring black from playing against white
  • 1960-08-03 Lee Petty and his sons, Richard & Maurice race against each other for the first and only time at Dixie Speedway in Birmingham, Alabama; Richard 2nd, Lee 3rd
  • 1961-10-31 Federal judge rules that laws in Birmingham, Alabama, against integrated playing fields are illegal
  • 1963-04-12 Police in Birmingham, Alabama, use dogs & cattle prods on peaceful demonstrators

Event of Interest

1963-05-02 Children's crusade begins in Birmingham, Alabama. More than 600 African American school children arrested for marching against segregation, organised by James Bevel and the SCLC

Civil Rights Activist James Bevel
  • 1963-05-11 Racial bomb attacks in Birmingham Alabama
  • 1963-05-12 Race riot in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1963-09-15 Church bombing in Birmingham Alabama, kills 4 African-American girls
  • 1965-10-17 WBMG TV channel 42 in Birmingham, AL (CBS) begins broadcasting
  • 1972-12-02 37th Iron Bowl: Auburn beats Alabama 17-16 in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1978-12-02 43rd Iron Bowl: Alabama beats Auburn 34-16 in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1979-10-30 Richard Arrington, Jr. is elected the first African American mayor in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1980-03-01 21st SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, BJCC Coliseum, Birmingham, AL: LSU beats Kentucky, 80-78
  • 1991-11-30 56th Iron Bowl: Alabama beats Auburn 13-6 in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1992-11-26 57th Iron Bowl: Alabama beats Auburn 17-0 in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1998-01-29 Woman's Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama bombed, 1 killed
  • 2002-05-22 American civil rights movement: a jury in Birmingham, Alabama, convicts former Ku Klux Klan member Bobby Frank Cherry of the 1963 murders of four girls in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church
  • 2003-03-18 FBI agents raid the corporate headquarters of HealthSouth Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama on suspicion of massive corporate fraud led by the company's top executives.

Famous People from Birmingham

  • 1902-05-17 John Vincent, American composer, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1977)
  • 1903-05-13 Paul Page, American actor (Girl From Havana, Moth), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1974)
  • 1906-10-11 Katherine Emery, American actress (Maze, Isle of the Dead), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1980)
  • 1911-06-20 Gail Patrick [Margaret Fitzpatrick], American actress (My Man Godfrey, Love Crazy), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1980)
  • 1913-01-10 Haywood Frank Henry, American jazz baritone saxophonist, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1994)
  • 1913-02-14 Mel Allen, American sportscaster (voice of NY Yankees; 22 World Series; 24 MLB All Star games), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1996)
  • 1914-05-22 Sun Ra [Herbert Blount], American jazz pianist (The Arkestra), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1993)
  • 1914-07-26 Erskine Hawkins, American trumpeter, big band leader, and composer ("Tuxedo Junction:' "After Hours"), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1993)
  • 1915-07-07 Margaret Walker, American poet and novelist of the Chicago Black Renaissance (For My People), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1998)
  • 1916-04-26 Virgil Trucks, American baseball pitcher (World Series 1945 Detroit Tigers; MLB All Star 1949, 54), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2013)
  • 1916-05-28 Walker Percy, American writer and novelist ("The Moviegoer", "Lancelot"), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1990)
  • 1916-10-15 Al Killian, American big band and swing jazz trumpeter, and occasional bandleader, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1950)
  • 1917-04-07 R G Armstrong [Robert Golden], American actor (Predator, Dick Tracey, T.H.E. Cat), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2012)
  • 1917-10-27 Carl "Bama" Warwick, American jazz trumpeter (Dizzy Gillespie; John Kirby; Woody Herman; Buddy Rich), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2003)
  • 1917-10-30 Bobby Bragan, American baseball player, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2010)
  • 1918-02-22 Charles "Charlie O" Finley, American sports entrepreneur (MLB's Kansas City/Oakland A's: NHL's California Golden Seals), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1996)
  • 1918-06-03 Carl Pruitt, American jazz and blues session double-bassist, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1977)
  • 1920-09-17 Marjorie Holt, American politician (Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2018)
  • 1922-06-25 Johnny Smith, American cool jazz guitarist ("Moonlight In Vermont"; "Walk, Don't Run"), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2013)
  • 1925-02-28 C. Herbert Oliver, American clergyman and civil rights activist (Inter-Citizens Committee), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2021)
  • 1925-07-25 (William) "Benny" Benjamin, American session drummer (Motown's Funk Brothers), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1969) [1]
  • 1925-09-20 (Ulysses) Bobby Nunn, American singer (The Robins; The Coasters), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1986)
  • 1926-04-03 Alex Grammas, American baseball player, manager and coach, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2019)
  • 1926-10-14 Bill Justis, American rock and roll musician (Raunchy), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1982)
  • 1927-04-13 George Washington, American boxing trainer (Riddick Bowe and Mark Breland), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2006)
  • 1928-01-16 Ezra Sims, American composer of microtonal music, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2015)
  • 1929-06-10 Edward O. Wilson, American sociobiologist, world’s leading authority on ants, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2021)
  • 1929-11-08 Bobby Bowden, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Florida State 1976-2009; National C'ship 1993, 99), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2021)
  • 1929-12-31 George Schlatter, American television producer and director (Laugh-in), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1930-12-31 Odetta [Holmes], American folk singer (Sanctuary), actress and civil rights activist, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2008)
  • 1933-02-09 Jo Ann Prentice, American golfer (6 LPGA titles, US Open runner-up 1962), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1933-04-07 Wayne Rogers, American actor (M*A*S*H, 1972-75 - "Capt. 'Trapper' John McIntyre"; House Calls), born in Birmingham Alabama (d. 2015)
  • 1933-10-10 Jay Sebring, American hair stylist and Manson murder victim, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1969)
  • 1933-11-21 Henry Hartsfield Jr, American astronaut (STS-4; STS-41-D; STS-61-A), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2014)
  • 1934-05-06 Richard Shelby, American politician (Senator-D+R-Alabama 1987-, Rep-D-Alabama 1979-87), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Louise Fletcher (1934-2022)

1934-07-22 American Academy Award-winning actress (One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest; Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), born in Birmingham, Alabama [1]

Louise Fletcher
  • 1934-09-09 Sonia Sanchez, American playwright and poet (The Bronx is Next), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1935-03-20 Sam Lay, American drummer and vocalist (Original Thunderbirds; Howlin' Wolf; Bob Dyan; Paul Butterfield), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2022)
  • 1935-03-22 Danny Ray, American MC, stage manager, valet and "cape man" for soul singer James Brown, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2021)
  • 1937-06-02 Jimmy Jones, American singer-songwriter ("Handy Man"), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2012)
  • 1939-07-02 Paul Williams, American baritone singer and choreographer (The Temptations - Cloud Nine), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1973)
  • 1939-11-24 Jim Yester, American rock vocalist and guitarist (The Association - "Cherish"; "Windy"; "Time For Living"), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1940-05-20 (Frederick) "Shorty" Long, American soul singer, and pianist ("Devil with the Blue Dress On"; "Here Comes The Judge"), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 1969)
  • 1941-01-26 Bill Burgess, American college football coach (Jacksonville State University 1985-96; NCAA Division II C'ship 1992), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2023)
  • 1941-05-23 Jackson Hill, American composer and educator (Voices of Autumn), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1941-06-21 Mitty Collier, American gospel and R&B singer ("I Had A Talk With My Man"), and church pastor, born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1942-04-09 Earl Hilliard, American politician (Rep-D-Alabama), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1943-02-04 Barry Beckett, American keyboardist and record producer (David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2009)
  • 1943-03-23 Lee May "The Big Bopper", American Major League Baseball 1st baseman, born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2017)
  • 1944-01-26 Angela Davis, African American activist, author and professor, born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1944-02-05 (James) "J.R." Cobb American guitarist and songwriter (Classics IV - "Spooky"; Atlanta Rhythm Section - "Champagne Jam"), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2019)
  • 1944-08-15 Frederick Knight, American R&B singer-songwriter ("I've Been Lonely For So Long"), and record producer, born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1944-09-21 Fannie Flagg, American actress and comediene (Candid Camera), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1945-07-05 Jim Fuller, American college football coach and athletics administrator (coach 1977-83; AD 2003-08 Jacksonville State University), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2021)
  • 1946-12-18 Hubert Green, American golfer (US Open 1977, PGA C'ship 1985), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2018)

Emmylou Harris (77 years old)

1947-04-02 American country singer ("Together Again"; "Blue Kentucky Girl"), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Emmylou Harris
  • 1948-09-13 Nell Carter, American actress (Gimme A Break; Lobo), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2003)

Kate Jackson (75 years old)

1948-10-29 American actress (Rookies, Charlie's Angels), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Kate Jackson
  • 1949-01-30 William King, American singer, trumpet player, songwriter, guitarist, percussionist, and choreographer (The Commodores - "Lady"), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1949-04-26 Jimmy Hall, American southern rock singer and saxophonist (Wet Willie), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1950-01-18 Pat Sullivan, American College Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Heisman Trophy 1971, Auburn University; NFL: Atlanta Falcons) and coach (TUC, Samford), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2019)
  • 1952-04-28 Chuck Leavell, American session and touring keyboardist (The Allman Brothers Band; Rolling Stones; Sea Level), and forest conservationist (The Tree Man), born in Birmingham, Alabama [1]
  • 1952-07-17 Robert R. McCammon, American sci-fi author (Baal, Mystery Walk), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1952-10-07 Mary Badham, American actress, born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1953-06-21 Charlie Moore Jr., American baseball player, born in Birmingham, Alabama

Condoleezza Rice (69 years old)

1954-11-14 1st female African-American U.S. Secretary of State (2005-09), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Condoleezza Rice
  • 1955-10-17 Kerry James Marshall, American artist whose works seek to challenge the marginalization of African-Americans, born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1957-01-19 Mickael Virtue, British rock keyboardist (UB40 - "Red Red Wine"), born in Birmingham, England
  • 1957-02-14 Alan Hunter, one of the original MTV VJs, born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1958-02-08 "Sensational" Sherri Martel, American professional wrestler (WWF), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2007)
  • 1958-06-04 Julie Gholson, American actress (Where the Lilies Bloom), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1959-12-27 Andre Tippett, American NFL Hall of Fame linebacker, 1982-93, 5X Pro Bowl (New England Patriots), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1960-08-14 Broderick Thompson, American NFL offensive lineman (Denver Broncos), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1960-08-25 Ashley Crow, American actress (Heroes-Sandra Bennet), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1960-10-12 Steve Lowery, American golfer (PGA C'ship 2001 3rd), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1964-05-06 Kim Oden, US Olympic volleyball player (NCAA Play of Decade-80s), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Courteney Cox (60 years old)

1964-06-15 American actress (Monica Geller on Friends), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Courteney Cox
  • 1964-09-10 Tim Harris, American football defensive end (Pro Bowl 1989; First Team All-Pro 1988, 89 GB Packers; Super Bowl XXIX SF 49ers), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1965-08-25 Cornelius Bennett, American NFL linebacker (Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1966-04-05 Scott Dill, American NFL tackle and guard (Tampa Bay Bucs, Minnesota Vikings), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1966-07-29 Jeff Herrod, American NFL linebacker (Indianapolis Colts), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1967-10-11 Rob Selby, American NFL guard (Arizona Cardinals), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1971-11-10 Walton Goggins, American actor (The Shield; Justified; The Hateful Eight), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1972-11-19 David Palmer, American NFL wide receiver (Minnesota Vikings 1994-2002), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1973-11-26 John Zimmerman, American pairs skater (with partner Steigler), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1975-02-18 Scott Tucker, American swimmer (Olympic gold 4x100 freestyle relay 1996, silver 2000; World C'ship gold 1998), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1976-10-07 Taylor Hicks, American pop and blue-eyed soul singer-songwriter (American Idol, 2006), born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1977-01-08 Amber Benson, American actress, born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1980-07-07 Deidre Downs, American beauty queen, born in Birmingham, Alabama
  • 1987-06-07 Daniel Scheinert, American filmmaker (Everything Everywhere, All at Once), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Diana DeGarmo (37 years old)

1987-06-16 American singer (American Idol) and actress (The Young and the Restless), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Diana DeGarmo
  • 1989-01-04 Waxahatchee [Katie Crutchfield], American folk-rock singer-songwriter, born in Birmingham, Alabama

Famous Americans

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