July 2023

Forgotten historical events or figures

Forgotten historical events and figures are often overlooked in history books and classrooms, but they played a significant role in shaping the world we live in today. From unsung moments in American history to forgotten tales that shaped the modern-day, here are some of the most interesting forgotten histories.

## Unsung Moments From American History

According to TIME, there are several little-known moments that shaped America, from the Revolutionary War to the modern-day[1]. Here are some of the events that historians say you should know about:

- Oneida allies help George Washington’s army at Valley Forge (1777-8): The Oneida Nation, one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, provided crucial support to the Continental Army during the harsh winter of 1777-8. They sent supplies, food, and warriors to help the army survive the winter, and their support helped turn the tide of the war in favor of the Americans.

- The “Dark Year” of 1780: During the Revolutionary War, the British captured Charleston, South Carolina, and proceeded to wage a brutal campaign against the Patriots. Known as the “Dark Year,” 1780 saw widespread violence, including the massacre of Patriot soldiers at Waxhaws and the hanging of Patriot leaders.

- The Wilmington Insurrection of 1898: In 1898, a group of white supremacists in Wilmington, North Carolina, overthrew the city’s elected government and installed a white supremacist regime. The event, which is often referred to as a “race riot,” was actually a coup d’etat, and it marked the beginning of a wave of violence and oppression against Black Americans in the South.

- The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921: In 1921, a white mob attacked the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was known as “Black Wall Street” due to its thriving Black-owned businesses. The mob destroyed the district and killed hundreds of Black residents, and the event was largely ignored by history books and classrooms for decades.

## Forgotten Historical Events That Shaped The World

The History Guild highlights several forgotten historical events that shaped the modern-day[2]. Here are some of their picks:

- The Dark Year (536-537 AD): This two-year period saw a series of natural disasters, including a volcanic eruption and a mysterious “fog” that blocked out the sun. The event had a significant impact on the world, including causing widespread famine and leading to the fall of several empires.

- The Battle of Talas (751 AD): This battle between the Arab Abbasid Caliphate and the Chinese Tang dynasty is often overlooked, but it had a significant impact on world history. The battle led to the spread of papermaking technology from China to the Arab world, which helped fuel the Islamic Golden Age.

- The Spanish Flu (1918-1920): The Spanish Flu pandemic killed millions of people around the world, but it is often overshadowed by World War I, which was happening at the same time. The pandemic had a significant impact on the world, including leading to the development of modern public health systems.

- The Great Emu War (1932): This bizarre event saw the Australian military attempt to cull a population of emus that were causing damage to farmers’ crops. The emus proved to be more resilient than expected, and the military was ultimately forced to retreat. The event is often seen as a humorous footnote in history, but it highlights the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.

## Other Forgotten Historical Events and Figures

Here are some other forgotten historical events and figures that are worth knowing about:

- The Stonewall Riots (1969): The Stonewall Riots were a series of protests by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The riots are often seen as the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

- The Women’s Suffrage Movement: The fight for women’s right to vote was a long and difficult struggle that spanned several decades. The movement was led by figures such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, but there were also many lesser-known activists who played a crucial role in the fight for women’s rights.

- The Tuskegee Airmen: The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of Black pilots who served in World War II. They faced discrimination and racism both in and out of the military, but they proved their worth as skilled pilots and helped pave the way for greater racial equality in the armed forces.

- The Green Book: The Green Book was a guidebook for Black travelers that was published from 1936 to 1966. The book listed hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that were safe for Black travelers to visit, at a time when segregation and discrimination were rampant.

In conclusion, there are many forgotten historical events and figures that played a significant role in shaping the world we live in today. By learning about these unsung moments and tales, we can gain a deeper understanding of our shared history and the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us.

Citations:

[1] https://time.com/5616397/unsung-american-history/

[2] https://historyguild.org/4-forgotten-historical-events-that-shaped-the-world/

[3] https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/80-moments-report.pdf

[4] https://www.buzzfeed.com/andriamoore/historical-events-not-taught-in-school

[5] https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/world-history-1500/

[6] https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/ten-historical-sites/