In September 1906, racial tensions in Atlanta were ignited when sensationalist news reporting, particularly by white-owned newspapers, spread rumors claiming that Black men were assaulting white women. These unfounded allegations provoked a violent backlash from white residents, culminating in a riot that lasted for several days. The atmosphere in Atlanta, already fraught with racial tension owing to social and economic disparities, deteriorated rapidly as mobs formed, targeting Black neighborhoods and businesses. The local law enforcement struggled to control the rampant violence, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 25 to 40 Black individuals and injuries to many more. Properties were looted and burned, displacing families and causing significant economic disruption within the Black community.

The events of the riot represented a significant escalation in racial hostility, reflecting broader societal issues regarding race relations in the United States at the turn of the century. Many community leaders, including prominent Black figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois, condemned the violence and called for unity among Black residents to combat systemic oppression. Following the riot, Atlanta’s city government implemented stricter racial segregation policies, which would become a model for other Southern cities as Jim Crow laws took hold. The legacy of the Atlanta Race Riot continued to influence the struggle for civil rights and shaped the dialogue around race and equality for decades to come.