Historical story

Why did the Scottsboro Boys make headlines?

Wrongful convictions of nine African American teenagers for allegedly raping two white women.

The Scottsboro Boys case sparked outrage and widespread media coverage following the false accusations and subsequent convictions of the young men. Their ordeal drew national attention and became a significant chapter in the fight for racial justice and due process in the United States. The trial exposed deep-rooted discrimination in the legal system and drew nationwide attention to social and racial dynamics during the civil rights era.