On March 7, 1965, activist John Lewis led some 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma toward Montgomery. As they descended the bridge, the marchers were brutally attacked by state troopers and possemen. Over 100 were injured. The day of this initial march came to be known as Bloody Sunday.

Marchers on Edmund Pettus Bridge, 1965

Photographer unknown

Marchers in Selma, 1965

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John Lewis (in tan trench coat), Hosea Williams, Bob Mants, and Albert Turner lead marchers, 1965

Photographer unknown

Line of state troopers, 1965

Photographer Unknown

Marchers approach line of state troopers (John Lewis in tan trench coat and backpack), 1965

Photographer Unknown

Marchers in Selma, 1965

Photographer Unknown

Marchers approach line of state troopers, 1965

Photographer Unknown

John Lewis and Hosea Williams lead marchers, 1965

Photographer Unknown

John Lewis and other marchers shoved by state troopers, 1965

photographer unknown

John Lewis and other marchers shoved by state troopers, 1965

photographer unknown

Marchers attacked by state troopers, 1965

photographer unknown

State troopers and Edmund Pettus Bridge, 1965

photographer unknown