Black History Knowledge — July 19

What happened on this day. These are the July 19 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on.

1919 — Washington, D.C. Red Summer violence begins

On July 19, 1919, white mobs, including servicemen and veterans, began attacking Black residents and Black neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. during the Red Summer. Black residents organized self-defense, making the violence a powerful example of both white mob terror and Black resistance after World War I.

1958 — Dockum Drug Store sit-in begins in Wichita

On July 19, 1958, Black students connected to the NAACP Youth Council began a sit-in at Dockum Drug Store in Wichita, Kansas. Their disciplined protest challenged segregated lunch counters and helped set the stage for later sit-in movements, including Greensboro in 1960.

1962 — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the National Press Club

On July 19, 1962, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became the first Black speaker at a National Press Club luncheon forum. Speaking before a national press audience, King connected the civil rights struggle to the larger demand for America to live up to its democratic promises.

Wear the history: Martin Luther King Jr. — from the Black Knowledge Wear collection.