Racial Violence in US History A Timeline
Written by Black Hot Fire Network Team on March 8, 2026
Racial violence has been a recurring feature of U.S. history, particularly impacting African Americans and Indigenous people. Throughout the centuries following colonization, these groups have faced targeted violence, often stemming from organized white supremacist actions.
Fort Pillow Massacre (1864)
During the American Civil War, Confederate soldiers slaughtered surrendering African American Federal troops at Fort Pillow, Tennessee. Between 277 and 295 Union troops, most of whom were Black, were killed.
Memphis Massacre (1866)
A white mob attacked Black residents of Memphis, Tennessee, over several days, murdering 46 African Americans (many Union veterans) and wounding more than 75.
New Orleans Massacre (1866)
On July 30, 1866, a mob of white men attacked peacefully gathered African Americans in New Orleans, killing 35 and wounding more than 100.
Camp Grant Massacre (1871)
A vigilante group, comprised of Anglo-Americans, Mexican Americans, and Indigenous Tohono O’odham people, massacred more than 100 Apache people, mostly women and children, near Winkelman, Arizona.
Los Angeles Chinese Massacre (1871)
A largely white and Latino mob murdered at least 18 Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles, California, in one of the largest lynchings in U.S. history.
Colfax Massacre (1873)
A white militia murdered approximately 150 African American militia members attempting to surrender in Colfax, Louisiana.
Rock Springs Massacre (1885)
White coal miners attacked Chinese immigrants in Rock Springs, Wyoming Territory, resulting in the deaths of 28 people.
Wounded Knee Massacre (1890)
U.S. Army troops slaughtered approximately 150–300 Lakota people, including women and children, in southwestern South Dakota, marking the climax of efforts to suppress Plains Indians.
New Orleans Lynching (1891)
A mob lynched 11 Italian immigrants in New Orleans, sparking an international crisis and straining relations with Italy.
Wilmington Coup and Massacre (1898)
White supremacists overthrew the multiracial government of Wilmington, North Carolina, in a violent coup, murdering as many as 60 Black Americans.
Atlanta Race Riot (1906)
A white mob killed at least 12 African Americans and burned homes and businesses in Atlanta, Georgia.
Springfield Race Riot (1908)
A white mob attacked the Black community of Springfield, Illinois, resulting in the deaths of several people and widespread destruction.
East St. Louis Race Riot (1917)
A white mob attacked African Americans in East St. Louis, Illinois, killing 40 and injuring many more.
Porvenir Massacre (1918)
Texas Rangers, white ranchers, and U.S. Cavalry soldiers executed 15 boys and men of Mexican descent and burned the town of Porvenir, Texas.
Chicago Race Riot (1919)
Triggered by a drowning incident, the Chicago race riot resulted in 38 deaths and widespread destruction.
Ocoee Massacre (1920)
A white mob massacred Black residents in Ocoee, Florida, after a Black man attempted to vote.
Tulsa Race Massacre (1921)
A white mob destroyed Tulsa’s Greenwood district, known as “Black Wall Street,” killing an estimated 30 to 300 people and leaving thousands homeless.
Rosewood Massacre (1923)
A white mob attacked the predominantly African American community of Rosewood, Florida, resulting in numerous deaths and the destruction of the town.
Harlem Race Riot (1935)
A riot erupted in Harlem, New York, after a police officer shot a Black Puerto Rican teenager.
Zoot Suit Riots (1943)
Servicemen attacked Mexican American youths wearing zoot suits in Los Angeles, California.
Harlem Race Riot (1943)
Another riot occurred in Harlem, New York, after a white police officer shot an African American soldier.
Detroit Riot (1967)
Violent confrontations between residents and police in Detroit, Michigan, resulted in 43 deaths and widespread destruction.
Los Angeles Riots (1992)
Following the acquittal of police officers in the Rodney King beating case, riots erupted in Los Angeles, California, resulting in over 50 deaths and billions of dollars in property damage.
