Anthony Ray Hinton Timeline by Merrill, Eileen J

June 1, 1956: Anthony Ray Hinton is born

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-10 13:34:27 UTC

Anthony Ray Hinton was born on June 1, 1956, a year that saw both progress and setbacks for the Civil Rights Movement. The Montgomery Bus Boycott gained momentum but, some states resisted desegregation in schools.

1955-56: Montgomery Bus Boycott

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:05:37 UTC

Rosa Parks' refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery city bus, which led to a year-long boycott.

August 6, 1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:08:42 UTC

Legislation to overcome discriminatory voting practices in Alabama and other states, ensuring African Americans' right to vote was passed.

Spring 1963: Birmingham Campaign

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:12:42 UTC

Martin Luther King Jr.'s led nonviolent protests in Birmingham that brought national attention to segregation and racism.

1985: Anthony is sentenced to death row

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:17:34 UTC

Anthony Ray Hinton was sentenced to death row in 1985 for a crime he did not commit. During that year, there were setbacks in the civil rights movement, such as the bombing of MOVE, a black liberation group, in Philadelphia, which killed 11 people, including five children.

2005: Anthony’s petition is denied

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:21:21 UTC

In 2005, Hinton's petition to the Alabama circuit was denied after waiting for it since 2002.

2002: Bryan Stevenson becomes Hintons lawyer

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:29:10 UTC

In 2002, Hinton's case was taken up by Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative, who began fighting for his release.

September 22, 2002: Anthonys mother passes away

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:35:15 UTC

In 2002, Anthony's mother died of cancer, which soon caused him to develop suicidal thoughts.

April 3, 2015: Anthony is released from prison

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:38:56 UTC

On April 3, 2015, after spending nearly 30 years on death row, Hinton was exonerated and released from prison due to the US Supreme Court overturning the convictions.

March 27, 2018: Hinton publishes his first memoir, “The Sun Does Shine”

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-12 22:42:04 UTC

In 2018, Hinton advocated for criminal justice reform in his memoir "The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row."

January 16th, 2008: An angel was sent from heaven to be bestowed on this Earth

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-13 13:05:18 UTC

On January 16th 2008, St.Petersburg Florida, I, an Angel, was born. This single event started my journey of life.

May 2008: Divorced

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-13 13:10:27 UTC

My parents got a divorce.

December 25, 2011: Santa Claus got me a Cat

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-14 13:43:25 UTC

Christmas Day 2011, Santa Claus got me my first pet, Eclipse, an orange tabby cat for Christmas. Since she was my first cat she held a very special place in my heart. Unfortunately, she died a few years ago but her memory still lives on

September 13th, 2020: Father passes away

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-14 14:08:33 UTC

My dad died.

June 2021: Moved to Auburn

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-14 14:09:43 UTC

After my father’s death, I moved in with my grandparents, who have lived in Auburn, Alabama since 2004.

March 7, 1965: Selma to Montgomery March

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-14 14:19:45 UTC

In 1965, MLK jr and many other civil rights marched from Selma to Montgomery to address African American struggles.

2022: Removal of Confederate monuments

ejmerrill1 — 2024-05-14 14:22:49 UTC

Recently, the civil rights movement continues to progress with the removal of Confederate monuments in Alabama.