Photos: Personal Journeys: Little girl gone

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Photos: Fifty years ago, a bomb killed four young girls and altered American history.

At a church in Birmingham last month, Lisa McNair spoke about the legacy of her sister, Denise McNair (pictured behind her), who died in the 1963 church bombing.

Killed when a bomb exploded at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham 50 years ago today were (from left) Denise McNair, 11; Carole Robertson, 14; Addie Mae Collins, 14; and Cynthia Dianne Wesley, 14.

The Rev. Oliver Clark holds Lisa McNair's hand at Canterbury United Methodist Church last month in Birmingham.

Maxine McNair, holding a photograph of her daughter Denise, once taught at Center Street Elementary, where her first-born child attended school. Daughter Kim Brock (top), along with her husband, Jimmie, and sister, Lisa McNair, live with their parents in the family home.

Chris McNair (shown in 2006), a former county commissioner, was released from federal prison last month.

Fourteen sticks of dynamite were planted in weeds outside a window of the 16th Street Baptist Church. The resulting damage can be seen in this file photo taken later that day.

A 1963 file photo of the Sept. 15, 1963, bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris McNair hold a picture of their daughter, Denise, 11, in Birmingham on Sept. 16, 1963, as they tell a reporter about the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church.

This is the 16th Street Baptist Church on Aug. 15, 2013.

A memorial was placed where the bomb was planted. It reads: "Sunday, Sept. 15, 1963, 10:22 a.m. Addie Mae Collins. Denise McNair. Carole Robertson. Cynthia Wesley."

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At a church in Birmingham last month, Lisa McNair spoke about the legacy of her sister, Denise McNair (pictured behind her), who died in the 1963 church bombing.

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