In an act of extreme racial violence, a mob of thousands of white people targeted a Black community in Springfield, Illinois, in August 1908, attacking residents, destroying homes and businesses, and lynching two men.

The violence continued for nearly three days, and though about 150 participants were arrested, only a few were ever convicted of a crime. Damages to Black businesses totaled an estimated $100,000, or more than $3 million in today’s dollars. The riot took place in Abraham Lincoln’s hometown, drew national attention and ultimately served as a catalyst for creating the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Today, the national monument designated to interpret the history of this event preserves rare examples of archaeological remains directly associated with race riots in America in the early 20th century, including the foundations of five homes and related surviving artifacts. The site also shares the broader history of these race riots and the terror and devastation they caused across the country.

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