TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) -- Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Tallahassee Bus Boycott. On May 26th, 1956, two FAMU students, Wilhemina Jakes and Carrie Patterson, refused to move from the "whites only" section of a city of Tallahassee bus.
This would spark a five-month boycott in Tallahassee that would force the integration of buses in January, 1957.
Thursday, city leaders and citizens gathered to hear personal stories and give recognition to civil rights leaders who took part in the boycotts.
"I was only 12 years old", said Henry Steele, son of Rev. Dr. Charles Kenzie Steele, a leader of the Boycott. "But I was still astounded and elated by the fact that black people could come together the way they did in 1956."
The main message at Thursday's event: Moving forward together and learning from the past.
"You're almost doomed to repeat history if you don't understand it," said Shauna Smith, daughter of Dr. Charles Smith, another leader of the Boycott.
"I'm so astounded that I'm here 60 years later and a lot has taken place with civil rights, human rights during my lifetime, which is amazing," said Steele.
Those who fought fought for equal rights say it's not enough to just celebrate their achievements, but important to teach the younger generations the importance of it all.
