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The City of Montgomery has announced a full schedule of events to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott on Monday, December 2, 2024, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to honor Rosa Parks and her pivotal role in the civil rights movement.
Rosa Parks Day, officially observed on Sunday, December 1, celebrates Parks’ courageous act of defiance on December 1, 1955, which helped ignite the boycott and the broader Civil Rights Movement.
The city’s events on Monday will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly established Holt Street Baptist Church Historical Museum, the site where the mass meeting that launched the boycott took place. Sponsored by the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, this opening marks a significant milestone in preserving the legacy of the movement.
Following the ribbon-cutting, attendees are invited to a free private tour of the museum, sponsored by the City of Montgomery. Visitors will gain a unique perspective on 1950s Montgomery through a guided discussion and access to never-before-seen artifacts.
At 11 a.m., the tour culminates in a dramatic reenactment of Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic speech, which solidified the community’s resolve to boycott the transit system. The reenactment will be followed by a presentation from Pastor Willie D. McClung, who will share the history and significance of the Holt Street Baptist Church and its role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the wider movement.
In the evening, a 69th anniversary celebration will take place at 6 p.m. at Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church. This event will feature special guests, including Reverend Dr. Howard-John Wesley, Pastor John P. Kee, and the Montgomery United Mass Choir. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Organizers emphasize that space for the museum tours is limited and encourage interested attendees to register at Historical-Museum-Tour-Registration.
Full Schedule of Events
Monday, December 2, 2024
- 9:30 a.m. – Holt Street Church Historic Museum Ribbon-Cutting (sponsored by Montgomery Chamber)
- 10 a.m. – Private Tour of the Historic Museum (registration required)
- 11 a.m. – Martin Luther King Jr. Speech Reenactment
- 11:15 a.m. – Historic Account with Pastor McClung
- 5 p.m. – Doors Open for 69th Anniversary Celebration at Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church
- 6 p.m. – Program Begins
The City of Montgomery invites everyone to participate in these meaningful events, reflecting on Rosa Parks’ enduring legacy and the transformative power of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
