Following the Baptist Church bombing in 1963, MLK telegrammed him that the blood of 4 girls “is on your hands”

On the June 17, 2025 episode of Jeopardy, the Final Jeopardy category was “The 1960s.” Contestants were presented with a powerful clue tied to one of the most devastating events of the Civil Rights Movement: Following the Baptist Church bombing in 1963, MLK telegrammed him that the blood of 4 girls “is on your hands.”

Who is George Wallace?

This Final Jeopardy clue tapped into a painful chapter in American history—one that marked a turning point in the fight for civil rights and racial justice. The 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama shocked the nation. On that Sunday morning, four African-American girls—Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair—were killed when a bomb planted by white supremacists detonated at their church. The tragedy ignited widespread outrage and intensified the urgency of the civil rights struggle.

The Clue’s Context: A Telegram of Blame

The clue centers on a telegram sent by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Alabama Governor George Wallace shortly after the bombing. In that message, King did not mince words. He directly blamed Wallace’s aggressive stance against desegregation and his inflammatory rhetoric for creating the atmosphere that led to the attack. King’s words—“the blood of our little children is on your hands”—reflected the anguish and anger felt by Black Americans and civil rights activists in the wake of the bombing.

Wallace had become a symbol of defiance to federal civil rights mandates. Earlier that year, he made his infamous “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” declaration during his gubernatorial inauguration. His vocal opposition to desegregation, including his symbolic stand in the schoolhouse door to block Black students from enrolling at the University of Alabama, positioned him as a key political figure in the resistance to civil rights reforms. King’s telegram underscored how dangerous and consequential such political posturing could be.

George Wallace’s Role in the 1960s

George Wallace served as the Democratic governor of Alabama and quickly became known nationwide for his hardline segregationist stance. While he did not order or directly participate in the church bombing, Wallace’s refusal to condemn white supremacist violence and his emboldening of racist attitudes made him, in the eyes of many, complicit in the climate of hate that enabled such acts. His inaction and inflammatory rhetoric made him a central figure in the struggle for civil rights.

Over time, Wallace’s legacy evolved. In the 1980s, he publicly apologized for his earlier views, met with civil rights leaders, and claimed to have changed. However, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, particularly in 1963, his actions and words contributed to a charged and volatile environment. The bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church remains one of the darkest moments of that era, and Wallace’s connection to the cultural climate around it is indisputable.

The Impact of the Bombing and King’s Telegram

The church bombing was a turning point. Public reaction was swift and intense. Images of the grieving families and the destroyed church shocked the conscience of the nation. The deaths of the four girls became a rallying cry for civil rights legislation. President John F. Kennedy and his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, were both moved by the tragedy. Less than a year later, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would be passed, outlawing segregation in public places and banning employment discrimination.

King’s telegram was more than a personal message—it was a public condemnation. It called out political leadership for its failure to protect Black citizens and added pressure on local and national leaders to confront the institutional racism embedded in Southern states. The moral authority of King’s voice, coupled with the horror of the event, helped shift public opinion in ways that speeches alone could not.

A Lasting Legacy

The 1963 bombing, George Wallace’s role, and Dr. King’s direct condemnation are critical parts of understanding the Civil Rights Movement and the power dynamics of the 1960s. The moment captured in this Final Jeopardy clue isn’t just trivia—it’s a reminder of the real cost of racial hatred and the importance of holding leaders accountable for the consequences of their actions and words.

This clue offered a sobering but important reflection on American history. It demonstrated how a single telegram, written in the aftermath of tragedy, can reveal deep truths about power, responsibility, and the moral stakes of leadership.