Chicago Unveils Public Art to Memorialize 1919 Race Riot Victims
Chicago has permanently commemorated the 38 victims of the 1919 race riot with public art installations near where each person lost their life. This initiative, known as the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project, involved artists, historians, educators, and…
Chicago, IL, July 24, 2026 —
Chicago has established permanent public art installations to honor the 38 individuals who died during the 1919 race riot in the city. The memorial markers are situated near the locations where each victim lost their life, serving as a lasting tribute to those affected by the violence.
The initiative, officially named the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project, was a collaborative effort involving a diverse group of participants. Artists, historians, educators, and community members all contributed to the project’s realization. Notably, young people who have been impacted by gun violence played a significant role in crafting the memorial markers.
The 1919 race riot, which occurred over a period of several days in late July and early August, was a period of intense civil unrest in Chicago. The violence was sparked by the drowning of a Black teenager, Eugene Williams, who was stoned to death after swimming into a white-only section of water at 29th Street Beach. The ensuing riots led to widespread destruction and loss of life, primarily among the city’s Black community.
The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project aims to ensure that the memory of the victims is preserved and that the historical events are remembered. The involvement of young people in creating the markers is intended to connect contemporary issues of violence with historical context, fostering dialogue and understanding across generations.
Further details regarding specific artists, locations of all 38 markers, and the exact timeline of the project’s completion were not provided in the available information.
Story summarized from the original created by Peter Cole,Franklin Cosey-Gay,Dunni Cosey-Gay,Myles X. Francis on chicago.suntimes.com, see more information here.
