How an 1876 massacre of Black men in South Carolina turned racial terror into political power

The men responsible for the bloodshed 150 years ago were never prosecuted; instead, they rose to South Carolina’s highest offices.

By: Jacob Ware, Georgetown University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 31, 2026

Words: 1,329

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 5 days ago

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By Jacob Ware, Georgetown University

As the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary, its citizens commemorate a democracy more diverse, free and inclusive than it’s ever been. The path to this milestone was imperfect and paved in blood and suffering. Still, few of the revelers will likely pay heed to the anniversary of another historic event: the 150th anniversary of the July 1876 Hamburg massacre.

The massacre, which took place in Hamburg, South …

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