TULSA — 1921 · Major Tragedy
The Tulsa Race Massacre (Greenwood)
On 31 May–1 June 1921, Greenwood, the prosperous Black district of Tulsa known as 'Black Wall Street', was attacked by armed white mobs. The violence began with a confrontation outside the courthouse after a young Black man was arrested on an unfounded accusation and rumours of a lynching spread. Some 35 blocks were burned and destroyed, more than a thousand homes and businesses were lost and thousands were left homeless. Official records listed 36 deaths, but a 2001 state commission said the toll may have reached 300. The massacre was long left out of official history; excavations for possible mass graves began in 2020.
- Date
- 1921
- Place
- Oklahoma, USA, Tulsa, US
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 36.1596, -95.9870 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 31 May 1921A confrontation broke out outside the courthouse amid lynching rumours.
- 1 June 1921Greenwood was looted and burned; the governor declared martial law.
- After 1921Residents rebuilt the district themselves; the event was long absent from official history.
- 2001An Oklahoma state commission reported that the death toll may have reached 300.
- 2020Archaeological excavations for possible mass graves began.
Sources
- Oklahoma Historical Society — Tulsa Race Massacre okhistory.org ↗
- Museum of Tulsa History — 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre tulsahistory.org ↗
- HISTORY — Tulsa Race Massacre history.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Tulsa race massacre en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Museum of Tulsa History
- Oklahoma Historical Society
- HISTORY
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.