The Edmund Pettus Bridge is an impressive engineering structure that connects the banks of the Alabama River in the city of Selma. Built in 1940, the bridge is an example of the distinctive arch architecture of the interwar period. Its total length is 1,248 feet (about 380 meters), with a central steel span extending 250 feet (76 meters). The structure is supported by nine massive concrete arches on the eastern side, giving it a distinctive look. The bridge carries four lanes of US Route 80 Business road and still serves as an important thoroughfare in the region today.

The bridge's name is controversial because Edmund Winston Pettus, whom it commemorates, was not only a Confederate brigadier general and U.S. senator, but also a Ku Klux Klan leader in Alabama. This contradiction between the patron's racist past and the bridge's role as a symbol of the struggle for equality provides an interesting historical paradox. In 2020, following the death of John Lewis - an icon of the civil rights movement who was severely injured during 'Bloody Sunday' - voices intensified calling for the bridge to be renamed in his honor.

Before the events of 1965, the bridge did not stand out from other American crossings. But history has given it a significance that goes far beyond its transportation function. In 2011, the bridge was declared 'functionally obsolete' because it no longer meets modern design standards for its traffic load. Nonetheless, due to its great historical significance, the structure is carefully maintained and preserved.

An architectural curiosity is that the bridge consists of 11 spans - 10 smaller concrete ones and a central steel one over the river. This combination of materials was typical of bridges built in the United States at the time. The designers had to take into account the seasonal fluctuations in the water level of the Alabama River, which can swell considerably during the spring melt season.

From an engineering perspective, the Edmund Pettus Bridge represents a typical example of mid-20th century American bridge architecture. Its steel arch structure was a popular solution for medium-sized river crossings at the time. It's worth noting that the bridge was designed at a time when racial segregation was the norm in the southern US states. Ironically, the structure named after a supporter of white supremacy later became a symbol of the struggle against this system.

The bridge can be seen from a distance as you approach Selma along US-80, and its distinctive silhouette with an arched span towering over the Alabama River is a recognizable part of the city's landscape. For many visitors, the first sight of the bridge evokes strong emotions, connected with the awareness of the dramatic events that took place here. Particularly moving is crossing the bridge on foot, in the footsteps of the participants of the 1965 march.

The bridge offers a picturesque view of the Alabama River and the surrounding countryside. On sunny days, you can see Selma's distinctive skyline with its historic buildings. It is worth stopping for a while in the middle of the bridge to fully appreciate both the scenic qualities and the historical significance of the place. For photographers, the bridge makes a graceful subject, especially at sunset, when the last rays are reflected in the waters of the Alabama River.

On March 7, 1965, the Edmund Pettus Bridge became the arena for one of the most dramatic and groundbreaking events in the history of the American civil rights movement. On that day, some 600 peaceful demonstrators, led by John Lewis of the Students Against Violence Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), marched from Selma toward Montgomery, the Alabama state capital. The purpose of the march was to draw attention to the systematic disenfranchisement of black Americans.

When the demonstrators reached the Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were stopped by a cordon of Alabama State Police under the command of Sheriff Jim Clark. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, officers attacked the demonstrators with horses, batons and tear gas. The brutal scenes of violence were captured by journalists and photographers present at the scene, and later broadcast on television nationwide. John Lewis suffered a fractured skull, and dozens of other marchers were seriously injured.

The events, which went down in history as 'Bloody Sunday,' sparked a wave of outrage across the United States. Two days later, on March 9, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a symbolic march to the bridge, which stopped at the bridge after prayers to avoid another confrontation with police. This march was dubbed 'Turnaround Tuesday'. Finally, on March 21, a full-fledged march began from Selma to Montgomery, protected by National Guard troops under orders from President Lyndon B. Johnson. The march lasted five days and ended by reaching the state capitol, where Dr. King gave his famous speech in front of the state Capitol building.

As a direct result of these events, the US Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which banned discriminatory voting practices. The act is considered one of the most important achievements of the civil rights movement, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge became a symbol of the struggle for equality and justice.

It is worth noting that the events on the bridge were not an isolated incident, but the culmination of a long-running campaign for voting rights in Selma. Starting as early as January 1965, local activists, supported by organizations such as SNCC and SCLC, organized peaceful protests and voter registration attempts. These activities were met with resistance and violence by local authorities, leading to the arrest of hundreds of demonstrators. The death of young activist Jimmy Lee Jackson at the hands of state police on February 26, 1965 provided the immediate impetus for the march from Selma to Montgomery.

An interesting but little-known fact is that it was originally planned that the March 7 march would be led by Dr. King himself. However, due to commitments at his parish in Atlanta, he was unable to arrive in Selma in time. Had he been present, the story might have turned out differently, although it is difficult to speculate whether his presence would have prevented the violence.

After 'Bloody Sunday,' the Edmund Pettus Bridge became a place of pilgrimage for civil rights activists from around the world. Every year, on the anniversary of these events, a symbolic march across the bridge is organized, attended by both veterans of the civil rights movement and younger generations of activists. John Lewis, who later became a congressman and served in the House of Representatives for more than 30 years, regularly participated in these marches until his death in 2020.

In 2013, in recognition of its outstanding historical significance, the Edmund Pettus Bridge was officially designated a National Historic Landmark. The decision underscored the bridge's role not only as a witness to history, but also as a symbol of the continuing struggle for equality and justice in America.

Today, the Edmund Pettus Bridge functions in a dual role - as an active thoroughfare and as a living monument to the history of the civil rights movement. Every year, thousands of tourists and pilgrims come to Selma to cross this historic bridge and pay tribute to the courage of the 1965 demonstrators. For many Americans, especially from the black community, a visit to the bridge has an almost spiritual dimension - a journey to a place that symbolizes both suffering and triumph in the struggle for equality.

The best way to experience the Edmund Pettus Bridge is to walk its length on foot, preferably from downtown Selma, as participants in the 1965 march did. Along the route, there are informational plaques that introduce the history of 'Bloody Sunday' and the importance of the bridge in American history. Note the point where demonstrators were detained by police - today it is marked by a small memorial.

On the east side of the bridge is the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, which features exhibits, documentaries and artifacts related to the marches. The center offers an in-depth look at the historical context of the events that took place on the bridge and the broader civil rights movement in 1960s America.

Also worth a visit is the nearby National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, which documents the struggle for voting rights in Selma and across the United States. The museum contains a rich collection of photographs, documents and witness accounts of 'Bloody Sunday' and the subsequent marches. Particularly moving is the 'Footprints Hall', where participants in the historic marches left their footprints along with personal memories.

An interesting, though lesser-known aspect of the bridge's history is that over the years it has become the site of various forms of commemoration and protest. In 2000, a group of activists organized a symbolic march across the bridge, carrying a coffin symbolizing the 'death of racism.' In 2015, on the 50th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday,' President Barack Obama crossed the bridge with John Lewis and other veterans of the civil rights movement, a powerful symbol of the progress made in American society.

The Edmund Pettus Bridge has also appeared in popular culture. It was immortalized in the 2014 Oscar-winning film 'Selma,' which tells the story of the marches from Selma to Montgomery. The scenes depicting 'Bloody Sunday' are among the film's most harrowing moments and have helped remind younger generations of the significance of these events.

When visiting the bridge, it is worth noting the contrast between its name and symbolic meaning. Edmund Pettus was not only a Confederate general, but also the leader of the Ku Klux Klan in Alabama - an organization that terrorized black Southerners. Ironically, the bridge named after him became a symbol of the fight against racism and segregation. This contradiction continues to generate heated debates to this day, with some activists and historians advocating the renaming of the bridge, while others argue that the current name is an eloquent reminder of the journey from segregation to equality.

The best time to visit the Edmund Pettus Bridge is early morning or late afternoon, when the light is best for photography and there is less traffic on the bridge. Plan a visit in early March, around the anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday,' when Selma hosts a number of events commemorating these historic events, including the annual Jubilee Bridge Crossing - a symbolic march across the bridge with thousands of participants from across the country.

The Edmund Pettus Bridge remains a living testament to both America's painful past and its ability to overcome divisions and pursue justice. For visitors, it serves not only as a history lesson, but also as an inspiration and a reminder that the courage of individuals can lead to fundamental social change. As John Lewis said during the 50th anniversary of 'Bloody Sunday': "This bridge represents freedom to march, freedom to assemble, freedom from fear. These words perfectly capture the significance of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in modern America - not just as a monument to the past, but as a symbol of the continuing struggle for equality and justice.