(CNN) The last convicted bomber in the 1963 Birmingham church bombing that killed four young African American girls has died in prison, nearly 60 years after the terror attack targeted the US civil rights movement. Blanton -- one of three former KKK members convicted of murdering the girls -- died of natural causes Friday while serving a life sentence, according to a statement released by Alabama Gov. But historians contend the church bombing marked a turning point in the civil rights movement and contributed to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. JUST WATCHED 50th anniversary of church bombing Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH 50th anniversary of church bombing 01:00Carole made sure her chores were done so she could go to dance class on Saturdays, while Cynthia excelled in math and band. In 1997, after other successful prosecutions for murders during the civil rights era, the FBI's Birmingham office reopened the case.

Source: CNN June 26, 2020 21:56 UTC