Exhibits put Civil Rights Movement on display

ATLANTA -- Turner Field patrons were treated to a pair of exhibits commemorating the Tuskegee Airmen and the Negro Leagues era as part of the Braves' inaugural Heritage Weekend festivities taking place throughout the three-game series against the Nationals.

The Negro Leagues exhibit offered fans a chance to read about the barnstorming tours and rival leagues that helped increase the popularity of the game among African-Americans from the 1920s to the 1960s. Held in Turner Field's Hank Aaron Room, the exhibit featured photographs and lists of the Negro League players who went on to earn individual accolades and induction into the Hall of Fame following the integration of the game, which began in 1947 following the Dodgers' famous acquisition of Jackie Robinson.

Next to Turner Field's Monument Grove, outside the stadium, the "Rise Above" exhibit featured a 30-minute documentary about the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and their connection with the Commemorative Air Force.

Three living airmen were honored durnig a pregame ceremony that was followed by a flyover of one of the P-51 planes used by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. The flyover was performed by Delta pilot Brad Lang, the son of one of the original Tuskegee Airmen.