Birthplace of civil rights and confederacy cradle: Montgomery is packed with history

NPR | By Debbie Elliott

Published April 8, 2026 at 5:43 PM EDT

Montgomery, Ala., helped shape America — from the cradle of the Confederacy to the birthplace of the civil rights movement to the city's draw today as the place to reflect on the legacy of slavery.

Debbie Elliott

NPR National Correspondent Debbie Elliott can be heard telling stories from her native South. She covers the latest news and politics, and is attuned to the region's rich culture and history.

See stories by Debbie Elliott

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