Travel Guide Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa, once the capital of Alabama between 1826 and 1846, is now the fifth largest city in the state. Its modern history began in 1826 when Chief Choctaw Tascalusa (who later gave his name to the city) lost the battle of Mauvila to Hernando de Soto. In 1963, segregationist Senator George Wallace (known for his speech "Segregation Now, Segregation Tomorrow, Segregation Forever. ") draws attention to Tuscaloosa when he tries to block access to the University of Alabama's Foster Auditorium for African-American students on June 11 of this year. An arm wrestling match then ensued between him and President Kennedy and Wallace had to abdicate. But this event is not isolated during this dark period of racial segregation that is plaguing the south of the country. In 1956, when Autherine Lucy, an African American, was admitted to the University of Alabama, by what is interpreted as an administrative error, she was exposed to crowds of white youths who persecuted her until she was finally expelled by the university for reasons of "so-called" security.A few years later, Bloody Tuesday refers to the sinister turn of events in a protest led by Reverend T. Y. Rogers on June 9, 1964, to denounce the obligation of the African-American community to use separate water fountains and toilets. The demonstrators then peacefully marched from the courthouse to the "first African Baptist church" when they were attacked by blows and gases from the police and the raging crowd of white supremacists. The city is now trying to value this sad past in an effort of memory and understanding. The association, Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Task Force, is doing a remarkable job in this regard, based on the principle that honesty and truth are the guarantors of reconciliation.Today, a city where life is good no matter what the colour of its skin, Tuscaloosa is experiencing a much more progressive present with a democratic mayor and a large student community from all over the country. The campus is a very pleasant place to stroll and look like a little New York on the days of the famous American university football team's games. The city centre is lively with its shops, bars and restaurants and for a more university atmosphere, the Strip district, near the campus, is also the meeting place for night owls.