History tells us that, on the morning of May 30, 1921, a Black Man named Dick Rowland mistakenly stepped on the foot of a young White Woman named Sarah Page. Offended and/or in pain, Ms. Page screamed & exited the elevator. Shortly thereafter the accusation was made that Mr. Rowland had attempted to Rape Ms. Page, and he was arrested-pending an investigation. By the next morning, a angry mob of Whites appeared outside of the courthouse-demanding that Rowland be released to them, so that they could lynch him. Hours later, an incident between Black World War I veterans & the mob of angry whites spilled over into a full scale riot. The first wave of violence saw fires strategically set around the borders of the Greenwood District-with "drive-by" shootings targeting any random citizens that sought to escape. Tulsa Police "deputized" members of the would-be lynch mob; and the National Guard was deployed to protect white Neighborhoods. By the morning of June 1st, whatever was left of the area was looted & set on fire.
No white citizen of Tulsa saw a single day in prison for their crimes & a large portion of the Now-Homeless Black Community would find themselves enduring that following Winter living in Tents. It is estimated that more than 300 people were killed in the violence. 35 city blocks were destroyed. More than 800 people had to be treated for injuries. BUT THIS EPISODE OF AMERICAN HISTORY IS RARELY, IF EVER TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS.