History of BCRI (1970s)

1977   Birmingham Mayor David Vann mentions in

            a weekly  news conference that a civil rights museum would

            be an appropriate project for the city. 

1978   Birmingham City Council endorses Mayor Vann's 

            recommendation of creation of a civil rights museum.

1979   Mayor Vann is defeated in his bid for re-election by Dr.

            Richard  Arrington, Jr., Birmingham's first African

            American mayor. 

            Birmingham City Council adopts a resolution authorizing 

            the mayor to form a museum committee to conduct a 

            feasibility study.