Tulsa race riot facts for kids

The Tulsa Race Massacre, also known as the Tulsa Race Riot, happened on May 31 and June 1, 1921. During these two days, a large group of white people attacked Black residents and businesses in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States.

This event is one of the worst acts of racial violence in the history of the United States. The attack involved people on the ground and even from the air. It destroyed more than 35 city blocks of a thriving Black community. At that time, this area was one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States. It was often called "Black Wall Street."

The violence hurt over 800 people. It is believed that more than 100 people were killed during the attack.

What Happened in Tulsa?

The Tulsa Race Massacre began after a young Black man named Dick Rowland was accused of assaulting a white elevator operator named Sarah Page. Even though the details are unclear, the accusation quickly led to a tense situation.

A local newspaper printed a story that made the situation worse. Soon, a large crowd of white people gathered outside the courthouse where Rowland was being held. Black residents, many of whom were World War I veterans, went to the courthouse to protect Rowland from the angry crowd.

The Attack on Greenwood

On the night of May 31, 1921, a confrontation happened between the white mob and the Black protectors. A shot was fired, and the violence quickly exploded. The white mob then moved into the Greenwood District, which was the heart of Tulsa's Black community.

The attackers burned down homes, churches, schools, and businesses. They used guns and even airplanes to drop firebombs on buildings. Many Black families lost everything they owned. The attack lasted for about 18 hours.

After the Massacre

After the violence ended, thousands of Black residents were left homeless. Many were held in temporary camps. The National Guard was called in to help restore order.

The city of Tulsa tried to rebuild, but the damage to the Greenwood District was immense. The massacre caused long-lasting pain and economic hardship for the Black community in Tulsa. For many years, this event was not widely taught in history books. Today, people are working to remember what happened and to teach others about this important part of American history.

Images for kids

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  A map of Tulsa in 1920. The Greenwood District was in northern Tulsa.

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  Flames across the Greenwood section of Tulsa

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  National Guard with the wounded

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  Taken from the southeast corner of the roof of Booker T. Washington High School, this panorama shows much of the damage within a day or so. The road running laterally through the center is Greenwood Avenue; the road slanting from the center to the left is Easton; and the road slanting off to the right is Frankfort.

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  "All that was left of his home", photograph, June 1, 1921

See also

In Spanish: Disturbios raciales de Tulsa para niños