On the 53rd anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham people gathered to remember the four young girls who perished on that terrible day. Mayor William Bell wants people to always remember the role that Birmingham played -- both tragic and inspirational -- in the Civil Rights Movement and began working with Congresswoman Terri Sewell, and soon after the National Trust, to make it happen.

During yesterday's "All Things Considered" program on NPR, WBHM reporter Andrew Yeager told the story of our collective quest for a Civil Rights National Historical Park in the city while interviewing officials like Bell alongside locals who agree that recognition is long overdue. In fact, during his lunch at a local restaurant, resident Ronald Williams told Yeager, "Yes. It should have been done years and years ago."

You can help the process along by adding your voice to the thousands who have already signed our Change.org petition asking Congress and President Obama to recognize the historic district. We hope that federal action will take place within the coming months.