When the 369th Infantry came back to New York, they were greeted with a magnificent parade. Men and women, black and white, joined together for a welcome celebration. The Hellfighters smiled and waved, thinking this feeling of equality would last. Sadly, it did not. None of the businesses changes their signs, the water fountains were still segregated, and the best of America still belonged to white America.

 Race Riots

“The Red Summer” was a disturbing time in our history. During the summer 1919, race riots were springing up everywhere. Due to the numerous amount of lives lost during these riots that summer became known as "The Red Summer."  This all started a few months after the Harlem Hellfighters returned from the battle overseas.  This was disappointing for them because they were blacks who had just returned from fighting for their country and now fighting for their lives here at home in the midst of more bloodshed.

James Reese Europe and band members, 1918. Courtesy of Blackpast.

James Brings Jazz to Europe

When James Reece Europe, the band leader of the Harlem Hellfighters, came to France, he brought his musical talents of jazz with him. Europeans had never heard of jazz, but  they embraced the new kind of music. Europeans integrated jazz into their culture, and it's all thanks to the Hellfighters band leader, James Reece Europe. ​

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Long-Term Impact