Black Belt, Alabama

The Black Belt of Alabama is a region named for its dark, fertile soil, ideal for cotton farming. Originally home to Native American tribes like the Creek and Choctaw, it became a center of cotton plantations in the 19th century, heavily relying on enslaved African Americans. The area played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, with historic events such as the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches. Today, the Black Belt is known for its rich cultural and historical significance, especially in African American heritage and civil rights history.