Racial unrest in Cairo, Illinois

Quick Facts: Who was Racial unrest in Cairo, Illinois?

Subject:

Racial unrest in Cairo, Illinois

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Period of intense racial unrest and decline in Cairo, Illinois, spanning from 1967 to 1973.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

From 1967 to 1973, an extended period of racial unrest occurred in the town of Cairo, Illinois. The city had long had racial tensions which boiled over after a black soldier was found hanged in his jail cell. Over the next several years, fire bombings, racially charged boycotts and shootouts were common place in Cairo, with 170 nights of gunfire reported in 1969 alone. The unrest was a factor in the depopulation and overall decline of Cairo. Cairo's turbulent history of race relations is often traced back to the lynching of black resident William James.

Career & Major Achievements

In 1900, Cairo had a population of nearly 13,000. Of that total, approximately 5,000 residents were African-American. In 1900, this was an unusually high black population for a town of Cairo's size, and five percent of all black residents of the state of Illinois resided here. As a result of the large black population in a town with a traditionally southern white heritage (despite the fact that Illinois is not in the South), race relations were already strained by 1900. On the night of November 11, 1909, two men were lynched.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The first man lynched was a black man named William James, who was allegedly responsible for the murder of Anna Pelley, a young white woman killed three days earlier. The second man lynched was a white man named Henry Salzner, who had allegedly murdered his wife in the previous August. The decline of the steamboat industry in the early 20th century hurt Cairo's economy significantly. By the time of unrest in the 1960s, the unemployment rate of Cairo was more than twice the national average and poverty was widespread among both black and white people in the city. The Cairo riot of 1967 was one of 159 race riots that swept cities in the United States during the "Long Hot Summer of 1967".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1900: 1900 Milestone — In 1900, Cairo had a population of nearly 13,000.
2. 1909: 1909 Milestone — On the night of November 11, 1909, two men were lynched.
3. 1967: 1967 Milestone — From 1967 to 1973, an extended period of racial unrest occurred in the town of Cairo, Illinois.
4. 1969: 1969 Milestone — Over the next several years, fire bombings, racially charged boycotts and shootouts were common place in Cairo, with 170 nights of gunfire reported in 1969 alone.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Racial unrest in Cairo, Illinois

True or False: “The primary catalyst for the initial unrest in Cairo in 1967 was the discovery of a white man hanged in his jail cell.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The unrest began after the alleged jailhouse suicide of Private Robert Hunt, an African-American soldier.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akshay Kumar — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Historical peer (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• A. S. Neill — Historical peer (Died in 1973) (1973): Scottish progressive educator, founder of Summerhill, championing self-governance.
• Abebe Bikila — Historical peer (Died in 1973) (1973): Ethiopian Olympic marathon champion, known for his barefoot victories in Rome and Tokyo.
• Adam Gilchrist — Historical peer (Born in 1969) (1969): Legendary Australian cricketer, redefining the wicket-keeper-batsman role with aggressive flair.
• Adam Riess — Historical peer (Born in 1969) (1969): Astrophysicist known for evidence of accelerating universe expansion via supernovae.
• Aaron Copland — Historical peer (Born in 1900) (1900): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Adolf Dassler — Historical peer (Born in 1900) (1900): Pioneering German cobbler and inventor who founded the sportswear giant Adidas.
• Aboul-Qacem Echebbi — Historical peer (Born in 1909) (1909): Influential Tunisian poet, celebrated for his passionate verses and nationalistic spirit.
• Albert R. Broccoli — Historical peer (Born in 1909) (1909): Pioneering American film producer, best known for developing the James Bond franchise.

Frequently Asked Questions about Racial unrest in Cairo, Illinois