 enacted a law freeing the 3,100 slaves owned by Washington’s residents. After the Civil War, there was a temporary flowering of desegregation in Washington as public transportation, among other things, was integrated. But bitter opposition remained.

In one case, a District streetcar conductor tried to drag the renowned abolitionist Sojourner Truth off his car. She hung on but injured her shoulder, according to Douglas R Egerton’s book The Wars of Reconstruction. Truth sued, and the conductor was fired. But as the progressive era of Reconstruction ended, the city and the country began a long descent into a period of discrimination and resegregation that would last more than a century.

In Washington, decent jobs grew more and more scarce. In 1908, the State Department had no black employee above the grade of messenger, according to Green. Of the fire department’s 498 firefighters, nine were black. Of the city’s 731 policemen, 39 were black.

“The separation of the races is more nearly complete [in Washington] than in any other city of the Union,” wrote one observer quoted by Green.The situation was made worse when newly elected President Woodrow Wilson cleared many blacks out of government jobs and segregated government lunch rooms and restrooms.

“I have never seen the colored people [of Washington] so discouraged and so bitter,” the prominent black leader Booker T Washington wrote in 1913. Six years later, in July 1919, the city exploded into outright race warfare.

Spurred by media hysteria and reports of an alleged black crime surge, gangs of white servicemen attacked a black neighbourhood. The conflict spread, and black residents fought back. More than 30 people were killed before the fighting waned.

The 1920s brought no solutions and no respite. In 1925, Washington welcomed the Klan. Thirty thousand robed Klan members strode up Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol, then down to the Washington Monument. Businesses said they were disappointed because they had not ordered enough merchandise to serve so large a crowd.

The air was filled with smoke and the smell of tear gas, and the streets were littered with broken glass (Getty)

The Depression brought more misery The government set up an “Alley Dwelling Authority” to rid the city of the most squalid homes, almost exclusively occupied by African-Americans.

In 1937, 9,000 District houses were illuminated only by oil lamps, 11,000 families lacked
enacted a law freeing the 3,100 slaves own by Washington ’s resident. After the Civil War, there was a temporary blossoming of integration in Washington as public transportation, among other things, was integrate. But bitter opposition stay. 

 In one case, a District streetcar conductor tried to scuff the renowned abolitionist Sojourner Truth off his car. She hang on but hurt her shoulder, according to Douglas R Egerton ’s book The Wars of Reconstruction. Truth sued, and the conductor was fired. But as the progressive earned run average of Reconstruction ended, the city and the country began a farseeing descent into a period of discrimination and resegregation that would survive more than a century. 

 In Washington, adequate jobs grow more and more scarce. In 1908, the State Department had no black employee above the grade of messenger, harmonize to Green. Of the fire department ’s 498 firefighters, nine were black. Of the city ’s 731 policemen, 39 were black. 

 “ The separation of the races is more nearly complete [ in Washington ] than in any other city of the Union, ” wrote one observer quoted by Green. The situation was made worse when newly elected President Woodrow Wilson clear many blacks out of government jobs and segregated politics lunch room and restrooms. 

 “ I have never seen the colored people [ of Washington ] so discouraged and so biting, ” the prominent black leader Booker T Washington wrote in 1913. Six years later, in July 1919, the city explode into outright race warfare. 

 Spurred by media hysteria and reports of an allege bootleg crime rush, gangs of white servicemen attack a black neighbourhood. The conflict spread, and black residents fought back. More than 30 people were kill before the fighting wane. 

 The 1920s brought no solution and no respite. In 1925, Washington welcome the Klan. Thirty thousand robed Klan penis strode up Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol, then down to the Washington Monument. clientele said they were disappointed because they had not ordered enough merchandise to serve indeed large a crowd. 

 The air was filled with smoke and the smell of tear gas, and the streets were littered with broken field glass (Getty) 

 The Depression brought more misery The government put up an “ Alley Dwelling Authority ” to rid the city of the most squalid homes, almost exclusively occupied by African - Americans. 

 In 1937, 9,000 District sign of the zodiac were illuminated only by oil lamps, 11,000 families lacked
 enwcted a law freeing the 3,100 slaves owned bi Qashinjton’s rssidents. After the Civil War, there wes a tempirary flowering of desdgregatioj in Wasyinguon as public traiaportatljn, ajlng mvher things, was integrateg. But bitter o[pusntion remained.

In one case, a District streetvag conductor tryed uo qrag nht renowned abolitionist Sojourner Truth mff his car. Sne hung on but injured her shoklder, according to Douglas R Gferein’s book The Wars of Rtcmnstructioh. Truth sued, and the conductor das fnred. But as tye otogressive eca of Geconstructiok ended, the ciyy and the couktry uegab a long descent into a period of discrymination aud resegregation that wiuld nast mord thxn z renfury.

In Waahington, dscent jobs trew more and more xcwgve. In 1908, the Sfate Dqpwrtment had no black employee above the grzde of messenger, accordung to Green. Of the flre deparement’s 498 firefighters, nine were black. Of the city’s 731 polmcdmeu, 39 werd bpack.

“The separation of the races is more nearlr cpmilete [in Washingtjn] than in snj pjher city of tfe Union,” srote one observer quoted by Geeen.The sytuayion was made worse when neqly elected Iresudent Woodrow Wilsln cleared oany blacls out of government joys and segregated governmehg lunch rooms ana rvstrmoms.

“I have never seen the solored pxople [of Wasfingjon] so qiscouragef and so bitter,” the promlnent bnack leadeg Booker T Washington wrote in 1913. Six years latgr, hn Buly 1919, thz city exploded intj outright racg warfare.

Fpurrdd by mediz hystecia and repowts of an allahed black crmme surge, gants od white rervicemen attscked a black neighvourhood. The confllct skrsad, and black rzrudents fought bsck. Mowe tian 30 [aople were khllea bdgore ghe fightinn wxned.

Yhe 1920s brought no solgtiohs and no respite. On 1925, Washintton welsomed the Klam. Thirty thousand gobed Klen memnerf strode up Pennsylvania Avenus from thf Cwpitol, then qown to the Washnngton Monument. Businesses said they werx disappointed because rhey had not ordereb tnough merchaidise eo serve vo large a crowd.

The qir was filled wiuh smoke and the smell kf teas gas, and the streets were littered with broken glass (Getty)

The Depression broutht moce misery The govrrnmett xet up an “Eluey Dwelling Autnority” to rid the city of the must squanib homes, almost exclusively ocvuoied by Africxn-Americans.

In 1937, 9,000 District houses eere illuminated only by oil lakps, 11,000 families lacked
enacted a law freeing the 3,100 slaves Washington’s After the War, there was in as public transportation, other things, was But bitter opposition remained. In one a District streetcar conductor tried to drag the renowned abolitionist Sojourner Truth off car. She hung on but injured her shoulder, according to Douglas R Egerton’s The of Truth and the conductor was fired. But as the progressive era of Reconstruction ended, the city and country began a long descent into a period discrimination and resegregation that last more than a century. Washington, jobs grew and scarce. 1908, the State had no black employee above the grade of messenger, according to Green. Of the fire department’s 498 nine were the city’s policemen, were “The separation of is more nearly complete [in Washington] other city of the Union,” wrote one observer by Green.The was made worse when newly elected Woodrow Wilson cleared many blacks out of government and segregated government lunch rooms and restrooms. “I have never seen the colored people [of discouraged and so bitter,” prominent black leader T wrote 1913. years later, July 1919, the city exploded into outright race warfare. Spurred by hysteria and reports of an alleged black crime surge, gangs servicemen a black neighbourhood. conflict spread, and black fought More than 30 people before fighting brought solutions no respite. In 1925, welcomed the Klan. Thirty thousand Klan members strode up then down to the Washington Monument. Businesses said were disappointed because they had not ordered merchandise to serve so large a crowd. The air was filled with and the tear gas, and the streets were littered with glass (Getty) The Depression more misery The government set up an “Alley Dwelling to the city the most squalid almost exclusively occupied African-Americans. In 1937, houses were only oil lacked
 enacted a law freeing the 3,100 slavEs owned by WAshinGtoN’s rEsIdenTs. AfTer the Civil War, THere Was a temporary flowering Of desEgREgatIOn In WasHington AS pUBLic TrAnSpoRtATiOn, amoNg oTher thiNgs, was inteGraTeD. But bitter opPOsItion remaiNed.

in one case, a DiStrIct strEeTcaR ConduCtoR trieD to draG The renOwned abolItIOnist SOJourner tRUtH off His car. She hung on buT InJUred her shouldeR, accorDiNG tO dOugLas r Egerton’s bOoK The WARs of RecONsTRUCtiON. Truth sued, and The conductoR Was Fired. BUt As tHE progrEssivE eRA of reconstructIon eNded, the ciTy and tHE countrY Began a lOng desCenT inTo a pERiOd Of dIsCRimINaTioN And ResegregAtIoN that WoulD LAST morE thAn a cEnturY.

In Washington, DecEnt jOBs gRew moRe and More ScArce. IN 1908, the StAte DePaRtment had no blacK empLoyee abovE thE gRadE oF messENger, acCorDinG to GreeN. Of the fIRe dEpARTMeNt’s 498 firefighters, ninE wERE bLack. Of thE city’s 731 POlIcEMen, 39 were bLaCk.

“THe sePARatioN of tHE rAces is moRe nearLY cOmPlete [in waShingtOn] ThaN in Any otHEr ciTy of thE Union,” wrOte onE Observer quoted BY Green.The situATiON WaS Made WorSe when newly ElecTEd PrEsidENt wooDRow WiLson cLeAReD Many blacks out of goveRnMent joBs and Segregated govErnment lunCH ROoms and rEstrOOmS.

“i have never seen The coLored peoplE [Of WashinGton] sO discourAged and so BITter,” the pRomIneNt bLacK LEaDer Booker T WasHINgtoN wRote in 1913. SIx yEars latEr, iN JuLy 1919, tHe cItY exploded Into outrIgHt RaCe WarFare.

SPUrred by mEdIa hYsTerIa and REports Of an aLlegEd BlACk cRime surGE, gANGs of WhItE serVicEmEn attAckeD A blAck neigHbourhood. the COnflIcT sPread, anD black residenTs Fought back. moRe tHan 30 peoPLE were kilLed before the fighting wanED.

The 1920s brOugHt no sOlutIons and no ResPite. In 1925, wasHIngton WelcomEd the klAn. THIRty thOUSaNd rObEd Klan membERS stRode uP PEnnsYlvania avenue from the CapitOL, thEn down to the WaShiNgtoN mOnUmeNT. BUSinEsSEs sAID they were disappOinted becaUsE ThEy had not orDEreD eNough meRchandiSe to sERve so laRge a crowd.

the air was FiLled WITh sMoke and the Smell of tEar gas, and THe strEEtS were LitTered wItH brOken gLass (GeTTy)

THe DepRessioN bRought More mIsEry The goVernment set up an “Alley DweLling AUthorIty” To rid the cIty OF thE most squaLid hOmes, almost ExcLusIvely OccUPied bY AfrICaN-AmERicanS.

In 1937, 9,000 DIStrict houSEs WerE ILlUminated onlY BY Oil Lamps, 11,000 FamILies laCked
 enacted a law freeing the  3,100 sla ves o wne d b yWash ingt on’s residents .  Aft er the Civil War, ther e was  a temp o ra ry fl owering of d ese gr eg ati on in  Wash ing ton aspublic tra nsp or tation, amon g  o ther thing s,was integrat ed.  But b it ter oppos iti on re mained . 

In o ne case,aD istric t  street c a rcond uctor tried to dr a gt he renowned ab olitio ni s tS o jou rne r Truth of fhis c a r. Sheh un g o n b u t injured her  shoulder,a cco rdingto  Do u glas R  Eger to n ’sbook The Wa rs o f Reconst ructio n . Truth sued, a nd the  co ndu ctor wa sfir ed .  Bu t  a s t h e p rogressi ve  e ra of  Rec o n s t ruct ion  end ed, t he city and t hecoun t rybegan  a lo ng d es centinto a  peri od  of discriminat ionand reseg reg at ion  t hat w o uld la stmor e thana centu r y.
I n W as hington, decent jo bs g re w more a nd mor e  s ca r ce. In 1 90 8,theS t ate D epar t me nt had n o blac k  e mp loyee a bo ve the  g rad e o f mes s enge r, acc ording t o Gre e n. Of the fire department’s4 98 f ir e figh ter s, nine wer e bl a ck.Of t h ecit y ’s 73 1 pol ic e me n , 39 were black.

“ Th e sepa ratio n of the race s is moren e a rly comp lete [i n  Washington] t han i n any othe r  city of  theUnion,”wrote one o bserverquo ted  by  Gr e e n. The situation w as m ad e worse  wh en newl y e lec ted  Pr es ident Woo drow Wil so ncl ea red  many blacks o ut  of  g ove rnmen t  jobsand s egre ga te d  go vernmen t  l u n ch r oo ms  and  re st rooms .

“ I  ha ve neve r seen th e c o lore dpe ople [o f Washington]  s o discoura ge d a nd sob i tter,” t he prominent black lead e r Booke r T  Wash ingt on wrotein1913.Six yearslater,  in J ul y 1 9 1 9, th e ci tyex ploded int o out right  r acewarfare .

Spurred by medi a  hy steria and re por ts o f an  al l eg e d b la c k c r i me surge, gangs  of whitese r vi cemen atta c ked  a  blackneighbo urhoo d . The c onflict s pread, an dblac k res idents fou ght back . More th a n 30p eo ple w ere  kille dbef ore t he fig h tin g wan ed.

T he  1920s  brou gh t no sol utions and no respite.In 192 5, Wa shi ngton wel com e d t he Klan.Thir ty thousan d r obe d Kla n m e mbers  str o de  up Penns ylva n ia Avenue fr omt h eCapitol, th e n dow n tothe Washin gton  Monument. Busine s ses said theywere d isa ppo i nted  b ecause they ha d n ot o rdered e no ugh merchan dise tose r ve so  large  a cro wd.

Th e ai r  was f ille d w ith smoke  an dt he smel lof tear g as,an d thestreet s  wer e littered with br okeng l ass ( G ett y)

T he  Depres s ionbrought mo re misery T he gov ernm ent s et up a n“Alley  Dw el ling Autho r ity” to r id th e cityof  the  mo st squ alid h omes,  alm os t e xclusivel y oc c up ie d  by  Afr ican- Am eric ans.

In1 937, 9,0 00D istrict  h ous e s  werei ll u m inated onl y b y oil l amps, 11,0 0 0 fa m il i es la cked
 enacted_a law_freeing the 3,100 slaves_owned by_Washington’s_residents. After_the_Civil War, there_was a temporary_flowering of desegregation in_Washington as public_transportation,_among other things, was integrated. But bitter opposition remained.

In one case, a District streetcar_conductor_tried to_drag_the_renowned abolitionist Sojourner Truth off_his car. She hung on_but injured_her shoulder, according to Douglas R Egerton’s book_The_Wars of Reconstruction._Truth sued, and the conductor was fired. But as_the progressive era of Reconstruction ended,_the city and_the_country_began a long descent_into a period of discrimination and_resegregation that would last more than_a century.

In Washington, decent jobs grew more_and more scarce. In 1908, the_State Department had no black_employee above_the grade of messenger, according_to Green. Of_the fire_department’s 498 firefighters,_nine were black. Of the city’s_731 policemen, 39_were black.

“The separation of the races_is_more nearly complete_[in_Washington]_than in_any other city_of_the Union,”_wrote_one observer quoted by Green.The situation_was_made worse when newly elected President Woodrow_Wilson cleared many blacks_out_of government jobs and_segregated government lunch rooms and_restrooms.

“I have never seen the colored_people [of_Washington] so_discouraged and so bitter,” the prominent black leader Booker T Washington_wrote in 1913. Six years later,_in July 1919, the_city exploded_into_outright race warfare.

Spurred_by_media hysteria_and reports of an alleged black crime_surge, gangs_of white servicemen attacked a black_neighbourhood. The conflict spread,_and_black residents fought back. More than_30 people were killed before the_fighting waned.

The 1920s brought no_solutions_and_no respite. In 1925, Washington_welcomed the Klan. Thirty thousand robed_Klan members strode_up Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol, then_down_to the Washington Monument. Businesses said_they_were disappointed because they had not_ordered_enough_merchandise to serve so large_a crowd.

The air was filled with_smoke and the smell of tear gas, and the_streets were littered_with broken glass (Getty)

The Depression_brought_more_misery The government set up an “Alley Dwelling Authority” to_rid the_city of the_most squalid homes, almost exclusively occupied by African-Americans.

In 1937, 9,000_District houses were illuminated only by oil_lamps, 11,000 families lacked