Yesterday, the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument was dedicated in front the 16th Street Baptist Church and a crowd of several hundred people.

Bham Now photographer Larry O. Gay was on hand for the unveiling of the sign by officials from the U.S. Park Service, Mayor William Bell, members of the Birmingham City Council, National Trust for Historic Preservation and “foot soldiers” from the Civil Rights movement.

One of the highlights from the event was a stirring reading of the President Barrack Obama’s Proclamation creating the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.

An excerpt from the proclamation:

“Today, the Gaston Motel, the Birmingham Civil Rights Historic District in which the motel is located, the Bethel Baptist Church, and other associated resources all stand as a testament to the heroism of those who worked so hard to advance the cause of freedom.

Thus, the sites of these events contain objects of historic interest from a critical period in American history.”

An important moment in the history of Birmingham, below are photos from the day by Larry O. Gay.