History Daily The Murder of Emmett Till
8 snips
Aug 28, 2025 The tragic murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till in Mississippi in 1955 sparks a national conversation on racial violence. His family's fear illustrates the dangers present in their community. The shocking discovery of his body leads his mother, Mamie Till, to take a brave stand by holding an open casket funeral to reveal the brutal realities of racism. The trial that follows demonstrates glaring biases in the justice system, igniting a commitment to the civil rights movement and highlighting the urgent need for change.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Store Incident That Sparked Violence
- Carolyn Bryant reacted to a Black teenager's perceived insolence after he looked her in the eye and whistled at her in Money, Mississippi.
- She told Roy Bryant, setting in motion events that led to Emmett Till's abduction.
Midnight Abduction From A Family Cabin
- Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam forcibly entered Moses Wright's cabin and kidnapped 14-year-old Emmett Till in the middle of the night.
- Moses pleaded and was threatened with death if he told anyone what he saw.
Open Casket Reveals Brutality
- Emmett Till's body was recovered from the Tallahatchie River, badly beaten and shot, and identified by his signet ring.
- His mother Mamie insisted on an open-casket funeral to reveal the brutality and galvanize public outrage.