Black History Knowledge — May 14

What happened on this day. These are the May 14 moments in Black history worth knowing, remembering, and passing on.

May 14 into May 15, 1918 — Henry Johnson’s World War I battlefield heroism

Category: Military History / Harlem Hellfighters / World War I / Delayed Recognition

Henry Johnson served with the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters. On the night of May 14 into early May 15, 1918, he and Needham Roberts fought off a German raiding party while on observation-post duty.

Why it matters: Johnson’s courage became legendary, but full U.S. recognition came painfully late. This entry connects Black military sacrifice to unequal recognition and delayed justice.

May 14, 1961 — Freedom Riders attacked in Alabama

Category: Civil Rights / Direct Action / Interstate Travel / Racial Violence

Freedom Riders were attacked in Anniston and Birmingham, Alabama, while testing federal rulings against segregation in interstate bus travel.

Why it matters: This is one of the most visually and politically important direct-action moments of the movement. It exposed how violently segregation would be defended and forced federal attention on interstate travel enforcement.

May 14, 2022 — Buffalo racist mass shooting

Category: Racial Violence / Domestic Terror / Black Community Memory

A white supremacist gunman attacked Black shoppers at Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, New York, killing 10 people in a predominantly Black neighborhood.

Why it matters: This is a modern Black American history entry about anti-Black violence, domestic terrorism, racist conspiracy ideology, and the targeting of ordinary Black community life.