Wilmington, Delaware race riot of 1919 facts for kids
| Part of Red Summer | |
News Coverage of 1919 Race Riot Wilmington Delaware
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| Date | November 13, 1919 |
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| Location | Wilmington, Delaware, United States |
| Non-fatal injuries | At least 1 wounded |
The Wilmington, Delaware unrest of 1919 was a serious conflict. It happened between white and Black residents in Wilmington, Delaware. This event took place on November 13, 1919.
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What Happened in Wilmington?
This conflict began after news spread about a shooting. An angry group of white people gathered. They tried to attack three brothers involved in the shooting.
Police Step In
The Wilmington police acted quickly. They moved the brothers to a police station in Philadelphia. This kept them safe from the angry crowd.
When the crowd found out the brothers were gone, their anger turned toward the Black community. A group of about 300 white people moved through the Black part of town. They met four Black men, and shots were fired by both sides. One African-American man, Bannel Fields, was hurt.
Police were able to stop the fighting. They also put rules in place, like stopping the sale of guns. This helped to calm things down.
The Red Summer of 1919
The events in Wilmington were part of a larger period of unrest. This time was known as the Red Summer of 1919. During this summer, there were many acts of violence against Black communities. White mobs attacked Black neighborhoods in over 36 cities and counties.
Resistance and Major Events
In some places, like Chicago and Washington, D.C., Black community groups fought back. Many people died during these events. The worst violence happened in rural areas. For example, the Elaine Race Riot in Arkansas was very tragic. It is believed that between 100 and 240 Black people were killed there. Five white people also died.
Other major events in 1919 included the Chicago Race Riot. This conflict led to 38 deaths. The Washington D.C. race riot caused 39 deaths. Both events also left many people injured. They caused millions of dollars in property damage.
