President Joe Biden on Friday signed a proclamation establishing the Springfield 1908 Race Riot Monument, located on the site of a deadly attack on a Black community by a white mob 116 years ago.
By establishing the monument, the White House said in a statement, the president is “recognizing the significance of these events and the broader history of Black community resilience in the face of violent oppression.”
Biden was joined by civil rights leaders, community members and elected officials in the Oval Office.
“What I’m excited about, beyond the specifics of this, we’re rewriting history,” Biden said. “So our children, our grandchildren – everybody understands what happened, and what can still happen.”
Just before signing the proclamation, he explained how “a mob not far from Lincoln’s home unleashed a race riot in Springfield.”
President Joe Biden, joined by civil rights leaders, community members, and elected officials, signs a proclamation to designate the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, Aug. 16, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin elaborated on what he called the “national significance” of the attack’s ties to Abraham Lincoln.
“It was the connection with Lincoln that really drove home the point that racism has to end in America,” he said at the signing ceremony. “And we’re still fighting that battle now.”
The monument will protect 1.57 acres of federal land in Springfield, Illinois, and will include the foundations of five houses that were destroyed in the violence.
“I know this may not seem significant to you, to most Americans, but it’s important. It’s important, important, important,” Biden said.
The White House added that this incident was representative of the “racism, intimidation, and violence that Black Americans experienced across the country.”
Biden emphasized the need for generations of Americans to understand such history. “As a matter of fact something happened here similar, recently,” he said.
He also noted how the horrific attack “sparked the creation of the NAACP,” which he views as “one of the most important organizations” in America.
“I’m so proud that Springfield, Illinois, is home to the beginning of the NAACP,” Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth added. “Good things can come out of bad things, as long as you don’t forget what happened.”
Sculptures representing charred chimneys rising from the smoldering rubble of burned-out buildings make up the Centennial memorial of the 1908 Race Riot entitled, “Acts of Intolerance” by Preston Jackson, in Springfield, IL, March 22, 2023.
John O’Connor/AP/FILE
Lawmakers have been calling on Biden to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate the site as a national monument.
Although legislation had been introduced seeking to advance this goal, Duckworth explained how “it’s been stuck in the House.”
As a result, they believed executive action was the “best chance to protect this area and mark this part of our history.”
This effort marks the eighth addition to the national park system during the Biden-Harris administration.
President Joe Biden has taken a significant step towards acknowledging and honoring a dark chapter in American history by signing a proclamation to establish the Springfield 1908 Race Riot Monument. The monument will serve as a reminder of the tragic events that took place over a century ago in Springfield, Illinois, and the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in the United States.
The Springfield Race Riot of 1908 was one of the deadliest race riots in American history, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people, the destruction of countless homes and businesses, and the displacement of hundreds of African American residents. The riot was sparked by false allegations of a white woman being assaulted by a black man, leading to a wave of violence and hatred against the African American community in Springfield.
The establishment of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot Monument is a crucial step towards recognizing and confronting the legacy of racial violence and discrimination in America. By commemorating this tragic event, the monument will serve as a powerful symbol of remembrance and reflection, urging us to confront the injustices of the past and work towards a more just and equitable future.
In his proclamation, President Biden emphasized the importance of remembering and learning from the events of the past in order to build a more inclusive and equitable society. He stated, “We must confront the dark chapters of our history, including the Springfield Race Riot of 1908, in order to move forward as a nation. The establishment of this monument is a testament to our commitment to truth, reconciliation, and justice.”
The Springfield 1908 Race Riot Monument will be a physical representation of our collective commitment to confronting and addressing the systemic racism and inequality that continue to plague our society. It will serve as a place for education, reflection, and healing, honoring the memory of those who lost their lives in the riot and reaffirming our dedication to building a more just and equitable future for all Americans.
As we continue to grapple with issues of racial injustice and inequality in America, the establishment of the Springfield 1908 Race Riot Monument is a crucial step towards acknowledging and addressing our troubled history. It is a reminder that we must confront the past in order to create a better future, and that we must never forget the lessons of history as we strive towards a more just and equitable society.
