The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute documents the struggle of African-American citizens in Birmingham to becoming full participants in the city’s community. Because this struggle garnered worldwide attention, Birmingham is an appropriate place for an institution that serves the world as a center for study and reflection. The Institute offers a walking tour and displays the lessons of the past as a positive way to chart new directions for the future. This self-directed journey documents Birmingham’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and human rights struggles.
Talladega Superspeedway
Speeds in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h) are commonplace at Talladega which holds the record for the fastest recorded time by a NASCAR stock car in a closed oval course. Talladega Superspeedway is located to the north of Talladega just outside the small city of Lincoln. Talladega is most famous for its steep banking and the unique location of the start/finish line – which is closer to turn one than at Daytona. Talladega Superspeedway is also the longest NASCAR oval with a length of 2.66 miles.
The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces. During WWII, even though the military was segregated, the Tuskegee Airmen became accomplished aviators and aided the cause for freedom. The experiences of these pioneers opened doors that led to corridors of opportunities for others to enter. Despite racially motivated adversities, they trained and flew with distinction. All black military pilots who trained in the United States trained at Tuskegee.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center is the world’s largest museum dedicated to space. Located in Huntsville, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center showcases rockets, achievements, and artifacts of the U.S. space program.
Opened in 1970, just after the second manned mission to the moon, the center not only showcases Apollo Program hardware but also houses interactive science exhibits, space shuttle and Army rocketry and aircraft. There is also more than 1,500 permanent rocketry and space exploration artifacts, as well as many rotating rocketry and space-related exhibits.