Historical Events tagged with "racism"

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.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Lynching of Emmett Till in Mississippi

August 28th, 1955 69 years ago

Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American, was lynched after he allegedly whistled at a white woman named Carolyn Bryant in Money, Mississippi. After being kidnapped from his great-uncle's home, Till's mutilated body was found in the Tallahatchie River days later. His mother, Mamie Till, insisted on an open-casket funeral to show the brutality of the crime, which drew national attention and outrage, highlighting racial violence in America.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Civil Rights Congress Presents UN Charge

December 17th, 1951 73 years ago

The American Civil Rights Congress formally presented a document titled 'We Charge Genocide' to the United Nations, accusing the U.S. government of atrocities against African Americans. The delegation aimed to bring international attention to racial discrimination and violence in the United States, arguing that systemic racism amounted to genocide under the United Nations' definition. This presentation was a bold move to seek global solidarity and accountability.

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Sports & Recreation

Kenny Washington Signs with Los Angeles Rams

March 21st, 1946 78 years ago

Kenny Washington signed with the Los Angeles Rams, marking a significant breakthrough as he became the first African American to play professional American football after a 13-year hiatus. This event represented a pivotal moment in sports, signaling the gradual integration of African American players in the sport after years of exclusion due to discriminatory practices. Washington had previously starred at UCLA, and his signing was seen as both a milestone for the Rams and a broader step toward racial equality in American sports.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Isaac Woodard Assaulted By Police Officer

February 12th, 1946 79 years ago

Isaac Woodard, an African American veteran, was severely beaten by a South Carolina police officer after returning home from World War II. The brutal attack left him permanently blind, which received national attention. The incident spotlighted racial violence and sparked outrage across the country, becoming a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. The shocking nature of the attack drew media coverage, making it a catalyst for change in public perception regarding racial treatment and police violence.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Violence Erupts in Detroit Amid Racial Tensions

June 20th, 1943 81 years ago

In June 1943, Detroit experienced significant racial conflict as tensions escalated between African American and white communities. Triggered by discrepancies over employment and housing, the situation worsened following an incident sparked by a rumor. The riot quickly spread throughout the city, resulting in widespread violence, looting, and destruction over the course of three days. The unrest left numerous individuals injured and several fatalities, showcasing deep-rooted racial grievances that had been simmering in the industrial city.

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Politics & Government

Mass Arrest of Jews in Vélodrome d'Hiver

July 16th, 1942 82 years ago

The Vichy France government orchestrated the mass arrest of 13,152 Jews, predominantly families, in Paris, who were detained at the Vélodrome d'Hiver. This operation aimed at consolidating antisemitic policies and facilitating deportations to concentration camps, including Auschwitz, as part of the broader implementation of the Holocaust. The arrests were characterized by the involvement of French police under collaboration with Nazi Germany, which had taken control of France during World War II.

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Arts & Culture

Nazi Exhibition 'The Eternal Jew' Opens

November 8th, 1937 87 years ago

The 'Eternal Jew' exhibition, organized by the Nazis in Munich, aimed to promote anti-Semitic propaganda through art and photography. It featured a series of grotesque caricatures and pseudo-scientific displays depicting Jewish people in a negative light, adhering to Nazi ideological beliefs. The exhibition garnered significant attention and was visited by many, displaying the regime's systematic dehumanization of Jews.

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Politics & Government

Nazi Germany Expels 18,000 Polish Jews

October 26th, 1937 87 years ago

In late October 1937, Nazi Germany began the forced expulsion of approximately 18,000 Polish Jews from German territories. This mass deportation was a product of escalating anti-Semitic policies and was characterized by the disturbing goal of purging Jews from Germany. The expelled individuals were sent primarily to Poland, where they faced a hostile environment as diplomatic tensions were high. The actions represented a significant moment in the Nazi regime’s increasingly aggressive stance towards Jews, laying the groundwork for future, more brutal initiatives.

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Politics & Government

Trujillo's Orders for Haitian Executions

October 2nd, 1937 87 years ago

In 1937, Dominican Republic's President Rafael Trujillo ordered a campaign to eliminate Haitians living along the border. This brutal initiative targeted the Haitian population, led to thousands of killings, and aimed to reinforce nationalistic sentiments and racial purity within the Dominican Republic.

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