Biden to Designate 1908 Springfield, Illinois Race Riot Site as National Monument

Aug 16, 2024, 10:53 AM

President Joe Biden is set to designate the site of the 1908 Springfield race riot in Illinois as the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument. The designation aims to honor those who were killed and acknowledge the impact of the tragedy on the Springfield community. The 1908 race riot, incited by a White mob, resulted in several deaths and the destruction of dozens of Black-owned businesses and homes. This event later contributed to the formation of the NAACP. The official proclamation is scheduled to be signed on Friday, coinciding with the 116th anniversary of the riot.