Historical Events tagged with "racial violence"
Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.
Indictment of Edgar Ray Killen for 1964 Murders
Edgar Ray Killen was indicted for his involvement in the 1964 murders of civil rights workers Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and James Chaney in Neshoba County, Mississippi. This indictment came decades after the crimes occurred during a time of heightened racial tensions and civil rights activism. The case was reopened as part of efforts to address unresolved civil rights violations, exemplifying ongoing struggles for justice. Killen, identified as a Ku Klux Klan leader, faced charges both of murder and conspiracy, marking a significant moment in the pursuit of accountability for racially motivated violence.
Continue ReadingBobby Frank Cherry Convicted in Church Bombing Case
A jury in Birmingham, Alabama, found Bobby Frank Cherry guilty of the 1963 murder of four girls in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. The bombing, carried out by members of the Ku Klux Klan, targeted the church during a Sunday service, resulting in the tragic deaths of Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Addie Mae Collins, all aged 14, and Cynthia Wesley, aged 11. This verdict marked an important moment in the long pursuit of justice for the victims' families.
Continue ReadingBirmingham Church Bombing Kills Four Girls
A bomb exploded at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four African-American girls—Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair. The church was a meeting place for civil rights activists and was targeted during a time of racial tension. The tragic incident occurred during a Sunday service, where many congregants gathered, shocking the community and elevating discussions on race relations in the United States.
Continue ReadingBombing of Civil Rights Leaders' Home
Harry T. Moore and Harriette V. S. Moore were targeted in a bombing at their home in Mims, Florida, during a Christmas celebration. The explosion killed Harry instantly and fatally wounded Harriette. They were pivotal figures advocating for civil rights and education for African Americans in the South. The attack is believed to have been a direct retaliation against their activism, highlighting the violent resistance to the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement.
Continue ReadingLynching of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith
In Marion, Indiana, Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith were lynched by a mob following their alleged involvement in the murder of a white man. The incident garnered national attention and was one of the last confirmed lynchings of black individuals in the Northern United States. Approximately 5,000 witnesses observed the brutal killings, reflecting the racial tensions of the time and leaving a mark on the community.
Continue ReadingArson Attack at Nihon Shōgakkō School
A devastating fire at Nihon Shōgakkō, a Japanese school in Sacramento, California, claimed the lives of ten children. The blaze was set by a serial arsonist, motivated by racial hatred against the Japanese community. The incident highlighted ongoing tensions in a period marked by growing anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S., leading to a greater awareness of the need for community solidarity and protection.
Continue ReadingThe Tulsa Race Massacre Shocks the Nation
In Greenwood, Tulsa, a violent conflict erupted, resulting in the destruction of a prosperous African American community known as 'Black Wall Street.' Tensions escalated when a young Black man was accused of assaulting a white woman, leading to a white mob attacking Greenwood residents. Over the course of 18 hours, thousands of white residents looted and burned homes and businesses, displacing thousands and killing a significant number of Black residents, as estimates of fatalities range widely.
Continue ReadingLynching of Jesse Washington in Waco, Texas
Jesse Washington, a seventeen-year-old farmworker, was accused of raping and murdering a white woman named Lucy Fryer in Waco, Texas. After a hastily conducted trial, Washington was convicted. On May 15, he was taken from the courthouse by an angry mob, who brutally lynched him in a public display of violence. His body was set on fire, and a crowd gathered to watch, some taking photographs of the horrific event.
Continue ReadingViolence Against Chinese Workers in Rock Springs
In Rock Springs, Wyoming, conflict erupted when around 150 white miners attacked their Chinese counterparts amid labor disputes over wages and working conditions. The assault resulted in the deaths of 28 Chinese miners and injuries to 15 others. The violence forced several hundred additional Chinese workers to flee the area, exacerbating existing ethnic tensions and highlighting issues of labor organization and racial discrimination in the workforce.
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