Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is the third most populous city in the U.S. state of Alabama, with about 197,500 people living in it.[1] It is the county seat of Jefferson County. Its metropolitan area is the biggest in Alabama with more than 1.1 million people living in it. The city has an area of about 152 square miles (390 km2) and an elevation of 614 feet (187 m) above sea level.

Birmingham, Alabama
City
City of Birmingham
Flag of Birmingham, Alabama
Flag
Nickname(s): 
"The Magic City" or "Pittsburgh of the South"
Interactive map of Birmingham
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Alabama
CountiesJefferson, Shelby
IncorporatedDecember 19, 1871 (1871-12-19)
Government
 • TypeMayor - Council
 • MayorRandall Woodfin
Area
 • City393.5 km2 (151.9 sq mi)
 • Land388.3 km2 (149.9 sq mi)
 • Water5.3 km2 (2.0 sq mi)
Elevation
140 m (614 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • City197,575
 • Density502.09/km2 (1,300.4/sq mi)
 • Metro
1,114,262
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Area code(s)205
Websitehttp://www.informationbirmingham.com/

History

Birmingham was founded in 1871. Three smaller towns came together to make one, which grew into a large town. It was named after Birmingham, England, a British industrial city. The Alabama city is famous for its iron ore, coal, and limestone, which were used in the town's steel mills.

Birmingham Sunday

Birmingham became famous around the world when a bomb exploded in the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on Sunday September 15, 1963. Four young black girls were killed. A member of the Ku Klux Klan was charged for the bombing many years later. Richard Farina wrote a sad song called "Birmingham Sunday" in 1964 to the tune of "I Love A Lass".[2] It has been recorded by several singers, including Joan Baez.

References
  1. "QuickFacts: Birmingham city, Alabama (Population Estimates July 1, 2021 (V2021)". U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  2. Helfert, Manfred. "History in Song, Birmingham Sunday". Archived from the original on 2008-07-26. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
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