July 11: To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

Milestone Years

• 65th Anniversary: July 11, 2027
• 70th Anniversary: July 11, 2032
• 75th Anniversary: July 11, 2037
• 100th Anniversary: July 11, 2062

Inspiration Behind the Movie

Based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the story draws on her childhood experiences in Alabama, tackling racial injustice and moral integrity.

You Might Not Know

• Gregory Peck’s Oscar-winning performance became his most iconic role.
• The young Mary Badham (Scout) was not an experienced actress before filming.
• The film preserved much of the novel’s dialogue and spirit, a rarity for adaptations.
• It was one of the first major films to address racism so directly in mainstream cinema.
• The set recreated 1930s Alabama entirely on a Universal Studios backlot in California.

Food Ideas

• Southern fried chicken with buttermilk biscuits
• Pecan pie or peach cobbler for dessert
• Homemade lemonade or sweet iced tea
• Okra fritters or hushpuppies as appetizers
• Classic cornbread with honey butter

Ways to Celebrate

• Host a Southern-themed dinner and movie night.
• Read or discuss the novel before watching the film.
• Create a trivia game based on characters and quotes.
• Reflect on social justice themes with friends or family.
• Share favorite Atticus Finch quotes on social media.

Filming Locations

Filmed on the Universal Studios lot, the town of Maycomb was meticulously built to reflect Depression-era Alabama. The Finch house and courthouse set are iconic and still admired in film history tours.