1. In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till was brutally murdered in Mississippi, sparking national outrage and widespread calls for justice. Till's death is remembered as a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, and his mother's decision to hold an open-casket funeral exposed the horrific truth of racial violence to the world. Although the murder took place in Mississippi, many civil rights activists in Alabama also worked tirelessly to ensure that Till's killers were brought to justice.

2. On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. King's call for racial justice and equality inspired millions of people across the country, including those in Alabama who were fighting for their own civil rights. The speech is now commemorated each year on August 28 as part of a national holiday celebrating King's legacy.

3. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, ensuring that all citizens of the United States have the right to vote regardless of their race or ethnicity. The act was a major victory for civil rights activists in Alabama and across the country, who had been fighting for decades to end the discriminatory practice of voter suppression.

4. On August 28, 2008, Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Louisiana, causing widespread damage and leaving millions of people without power. Despite being one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the Gulf Coast in years, Gustav resulted in relatively few fatalities thanks to the diligent preparation and response efforts of emergency management teams in Alabama and other nearby states.

5. In 2019, Alabama's first-ever Black Belt Folk Roots Festival celebrated its 44th anniversary, highlighting the unique cultural traditions of the state's rural African American communities. The festival, which takes place every year on the fourth Saturday in August, features live music, storytelling, food vendors, and demonstrations of traditional crafts like quilting and basket weaving. The event is a testament to the enduring richness and diversity of Alabama's cultural heritage.