During and after World War II, Alabama’s economy diversified with new industries, leading to economic growth.

The Southeastern Ceremonial Complex (SECC) is a major component of the religion of the Mississippian peoples, understood through artifacts from archaeological excavations at sites like Moundville in Alabama. Contrary to popular belief, the SECC appears to have developed independently ...Read more

Among the historical tribes living in present-day Alabama at the time of European contact were the Cherokee, an Iroquoian language people; and the Muskogean-speaking Alabama (Alibamu), Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Koasati.

Alabama was recognized as a state in December 1819.

The French controlled Alabama from 1702 to 1763 as part of La Louisiane. After the French lost to the British in the Seven Years’ War, it became part of British West Florida from 1763 to 1783. Following the American ...Read more

Despite progress, Alabama continues to face challenges related to racial discrimination, economic disparities, and underrepresentation of urban areas. The Black Belt region, home to many African Americans, remains economically disadvantaged.

Reconstruction in Alabama ended in 1874 when Democrats regained control of the legislature and governor’s office through an election dominated by fraud and violence. They wrote another constitution in 1875, passed the Blaine Amendment prohibiting public money from financing ...Read more

Beginning in the 1940s, courts started to recognize the voting rights of black voters. Legal challenges, such as the one against the state constitutional amendment giving registrars greater latitude to disqualify voters, were successful in overturning some provisions designed to ...Read more

During Reconstruction, Alabama was represented in Congress by three African-American congressmen: Jeremiah Haralson, Benjamin S. Turner, and James T. Rapier.

Pine forests form the largest proportion of forests in Alabama, which once boasted huge expanses of these forests.