Immediate Impact
Spectators line the streets for the welcome home parade.
Courtesy of National Archives.
Courtesy of National Archives.
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.
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James Brings Jazz to EuropeWhen 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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