Selma to Montgomery NHT
NPS History
NPSHistory.comThe Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama traces the 54-mile route of the 1965 Voting Rights marches from Selma to the state capital in Montgomery — a watershed moment in the American civil rights movement. The first march on March 7, 1965 — "Bloody Sunday" — ended when state and local police attacked approximately 600 peaceful marchers with billy clubs and tear gas at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, an event broadcast on national television that shocked the nation. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a subsequent march that successfully reached Montgomery on March 25, 1965, with 25,000 supporters. The marches directly led to President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation in American history. The trail was designated in 1996.
📚 Learn More at NPSHistory.com →Revise: Publications (6 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see photos of rack cards with highlighted text.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, they may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Publications (2 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached photos for highlighted text for your review.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, they may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Publications (7 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached photos with highlighted text for your review.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, they may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Publications (7 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached photos with highlighted text for your review.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, they may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Exhibit panels, publications (20 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels, visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached photos of specific exhibits that may need to be review.
While all of these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, this information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Exhibit panels, publications (20 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels, visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached photos of specific exhibits that may need review.
While thse statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, this information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Publications (1 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached photos of highlighted text for review.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, this information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Publications (1 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached photos of highlighted text for review.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, this information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Exhibit panels (1 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached photo of exhibit for review.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, this information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Publications (34 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached pdf with highlighted text for review.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, they may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Film/video (2 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The park films at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “While the statements in the scripts are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, some of the information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached scripts with highlighted text for review:
Amelia Boynton and Bernard LaFayette
These scripts also require review for an unveiling event, per SER Communications team.
While the statements in the scripts are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, some of the information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Revise: Film/video (8 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The park films at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached scripts with highlighted text for review.
While the statements in the scripts are historically accurate and directly from firsthand accounts, the information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Flagged for Review: Film/video (1 items)
At Selma to Montgomery NHT, the administration has flagged books and publications sold in the park bookstore for review under Secretary's Order 3431. Among the titles targeted: George Wallace film with quote, Sheriff Clark assaulting Amelia Boynton, Attack by state troopers, Jimmie Lee Jackson attacked. These works, selected by park staff and partner organizations for their educational value, are now under scrutiny.
Among the content targeted: “The Way to Freedom: Selma and the Making of a Movement” — language that the administration has flagged for review under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see linked film, “The Way to Freedom: Selma and the Making of a Movement”, with below items from the film for review:
- George Wallace film with quote
- Sheriff Clark assaulting Amelia Boynton
- Attack by state troopers
- Jimmie Lee Jackson attacked by State Troopers
- Marion citizen film footage of being attacked by State troopers
- James Reeb murder While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, this information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement. According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in secur...
Revise: Film/video
At Selma to Montgomery NHT, the administration has flagged books and publications sold in the park bookstore for review under Secretary's Order 3431. Among the titles targeted: Police resistance Bloody Sunday, Police on horseback, Attacks by police in Montgomery, Beating of some of the students. These works, selected by park staff and partner organizations for their educational value, are now under scrutiny.
The flagged materials include content from “Police resistance Bloody Sunday”, “Attacks by police in Montgomery”, targeted for revision under the current directive.
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached script with below sections for review:
- Police resistance Bloody Sunday
- Police on horseback
- Attacks by police in Montgomery
- Beating of some of the students While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts as documented in the fil, this information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement. According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder ...
Flagged for Review: Interpretive materials
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The interpretive materials at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
From the internal review records: “(Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrif...”
Why this matters: The civil rights history documented at Selma to Montgomery NHT is not a matter of opinion — it is the factual record of how Americans fought for the rights promised by our founding documents. These events occurred within living memory. The people who marched, sat in, and sacrificed are still alive to tell their stories.
Please see attached pdfs with highlighted text for review.
While these statements are historically accurate and supported by firsthand accounts, this information may be perceived as disparaging by individuals who are less familiar with the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
According to Park Enabling Legislation, Public Law 101-321: (Section 2.3) The designation of the route of the march from Selma to Montgomery as a national historic trail will serve as a reminder of the right and responsibility of all Americans to fully participate in the election processes. It will serve as a reminder that we must be ever vigilant in securing our right to vote. It will also give long overdue recognition to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for, and dedicated their lives to, voting rights for all Americans.
Flagged for Review: Publications (4 items)
The story of Selma to Montgomery NHT is inseparable from the lives of the people who were enslaved here — including Nikole Hannah, Ibram X. Kendi, Joy De. For generations, their stories went untold. The interpretive materials now targeted for review were created to ensure these voices would finally be heard.
The administration has flagged for review content that includes the language: “The 1619 Project”, “Stamped From The Beginning”, “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome”, and “Born on the Water”.
Why this matters: The history of slavery at Selma to Montgomery NHT was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.
Out of an abundance of caution, below are 4 books for review that our bookstore sells via our cooperating association: “The 1619 Project” by Nikole Hannah-Jones “Stamped From The Beginning” by Ibram X. Kendi “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome” by Dr. Joy DeGruy “Born on the Water” by Nikole Jannah-Jones and Renee Watson
Replace/Remove: Film/video (1 items)
Selma to Montgomery NHT in AL preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The park films at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
Among the content targeted: “Never Lose Sight of Freedom” — language that the administration has ordered replaced or removed under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.
The administration has directed that this content be replaced or removed, not merely revised but eliminated from the visitor experience at Selma to Montgomery NHT.
Why this matters: The specific language being targeted at Selma to Montgomery NHT — including “Never Lose Sight of Freedom” — is historically accurate content developed by professional historians and park staff. When this language is revised or removed, visitors lose access to the documented record of what happened here.
Please see photo attached of film still from the very end of the park film, “Never Lose Sight of Freedom” created by HFC in 2005.
This poem was included in the original plans for the park's museum design and film and has been on display since 2006. Park staff are not aware of any visitors becoming upset about the text or lodging complaints about the information. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, the text may merit further review to ensure that it is appropriate information to continue interpreting in the park's film.
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