1919Main MenuTimelineProhibition is RatifiedThe 18th Amendment, which prohibited "the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory," was ratified on this day.Seattle General StrikeTens of thousands of workers in Seattle joined a five day strike that would be followed by waves of labor unrest across the nation. In the next two years almost four million workers across the U.S. went on strike.8th Illinois Regiment Returns from WarThis all African American unit fought in France during the First World War. Soldiers from the 8th returned to Chicago and marched down Michigan Ave in February 1919.The Red ScareA wave of labor unrest and persecution of radicals and those deemed un-american shaped the political climate in 1919.365th Infantry ParadeThe 365th all African American infantry unit returned to Chicago in March 1919 after fighting in France. Wartime service gave soldiers new perspectives that shaped their views of events in Chicago in 1919.Mayor Thompson Re-electedWilliam Hale Thompson is re-elected Mayor of Chicago.Red SummerIn dozens of cities African American communities were targets of white mob violence that left untold numbers of people dead, injured, and displaced.19th Amendment Approved by CongressCongress approves the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote.Treaty of VersaillesTreaty of Versailles is signed in Paris, ending World War I and creating the League of Nations.Wingfoot Air Express CrashWingfoot Air Express, a dirigible operated by Goodyear Tire, caught fire and crashed into the skylight of the Illinois Trust and Savings Building at LaSalle and Jackson.Eugene Williams DrownedRiots erupted after an African American swimmer was stoned to death by a white man on the beach.Angelus Building RiotViolence broke out at the Angelus apartment building (3501 S. Wabash), the only white occupied apartment building on an all-Black city block, in a largely Black neighborhood.Mayor Requests State MilitiaMayor William H. Thompson called for activation of the Illinois state militia.Housing Conditions and SegregationHow can housing conditions and segregation in 1919 help us understand the riots?Black Migration to ChicagoHow can migration patterns in 1919 help us understand the riots?Labor Conflict and RaceHow can labor conflicts in 1919 help us understand the riots?Communist Party USA FoundedThe 1918 October Revolution led to the rise of a Left Wing who valued revolutionary socialism within the Socialist Party USA. The Left Wing was unable to gain control of the Socialist Party and split off to form the Communist Party USA.The Great Steel StrikeU.S. Steel Corporation workers in Chicago joined iron and steel workers across the country in a strike that shut down half of the nation's steel industry.White Sox Play World SeriesThe Chicago White Sox played in the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds.About the Exhibit
This is a user page for Chicago Collections, but it hasn't been created yet.