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Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Located in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, Tuscaloosa was established in 1818. The 2011 tornado cut a path 1.5 miles wide through Tuscaloosa, one of the widest tornado damage paths ever recorded. Governor Wallace's 'Stand in the Schoolhouse Door' at UA is one of the most iconic moments of the Civil Rights movement.
Founded 1818 | Population 113,361 | Peak 113,361 (2024) | County Tuscaloosa County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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1818 Founded on Black Warrior River: Named for Choctaw chief Tuskaloosa who fought Hernando de Soto.
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1826 Alabama State Capital: Serves as state capital until 1846.
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1831 University of Alabama Founded: State's flagship university established.
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1865 Union Troops Burn University: Federal troops burn most UA campus during Civil War.
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1956 Autherine Lucy Integration Attempt: First Black student admitted then expelled after riots; re-admitted decades later.
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1963 Stand in the Schoolhouse Door: Gov. Wallace blocks integration at UA; Kennedy federalizes National Guard.
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2011 EF4 Tornado Devastates City: Massive tornado kills 53 in Tuscaloosa; cuts 1.5-mile-wide path through city.
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2020 Alabama Football Dynasty: Crimson Tide under Nick Saban wins multiple national championships.
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Latest News in Tuscaloosa

May 11, 2016
Alabama Lawmaker Proposes Castration Sex Offenders
Montgomery, Alabama – Back in May 2016, an Alabama state legislator stirred up a storm by introducing a bill that would have all…
Apr 25, 2016
Alabama Community Does Something Amazing Thank World War Ii Vet
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (April 25, 2016) — In a touching display of gratitude, residents of this Alabama town came together last weeken…
Nov 20, 2015
Alabama Bill Would Make it Harder Get Food Stamps
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a move that stirred up plenty of talk in state politics, Alabama lawmakers pushed forward a bill on Novemb…
Aug 9, 2015
Alabama Police Chief Defends God Bless America Decals Patrol Cars
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (August 9, 2015) — In a small Alabama town, the local police chief stood his ground last week over decals on pa…
Jun 22, 2015
More Decade Later We Finally Get Confession Natalee Holloway Murder
Aruba (June 22, 2015) – More than a decade after American teenager Natalee Holloway vanished during a high school graduation…
Apr 20, 2015
Alabama City Proposes Saggy Pants Ban God Would not Go Around Pants Down
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (April 20, 2015) — In a move that stirred up plenty of chatter across the state, a small Alabama city took aim …

Complete Historical Timeline

1818 Culture
Founded on Black Warrior River
1826 Government
Alabama State Capital
1831 Culture
University of Alabama Founded
1865 Disaster
Union Troops Burn University
1956 Civil Rights
Autherine Lucy Integration Attempt
1963 Civil Rights
Stand in the Schoolhouse Door
2011 Disaster
EF4 Tornado Devastates City
2020 Sports
Alabama Football Dynasty

Did You Know?

1
The 2011 tornado cut a path 1.5 miles wide through Tuscaloosa, one of the widest tornado damage paths ever recorded.
2
Governor Wallace's 'Stand in the Schoolhouse Door' at UA is one of the most iconic moments of the Civil Rights movement.
3
Nick Saban's Alabama dynasty won six national championships, making Tuscaloosa synonymous with college football dominance.
4
Tuscaloosa is located in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama.
5
Tuscaloosa was founded in 1818.

Famous People from Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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Dinah Washington
Singer, Songwriter · Born Aug 29, 1924 · Died Dec 14, 1963 (age 39)
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Robert J. Van de Graaff
Physicist, University Teacher · Born Dec 20, 1901 · Died Jan 16, 1967 (age 65)
DW
Deontay Wilder
Boxer · Born Oct 22, 1985 · Age 40
OD
Otis Davis
Sprinter, Athletics Competitor · Born Jul 12, 1932 · Died Sep 14, 2024 (age 92)
LW
Lurleen Wallace
Politician · Born Sep 19, 1926 · Died May 7, 1968 (age 41)

Other Cities in Alabama

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H
Huntsville
Pop. 237,413
M
Mobile
Pop. 198,806
B
Birmingham
Pop. 194,400
M
Montgomery
Pop. 193,703
H
Hoover
Pop. 97,017
D
Dothan
Pop. 73,025
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