9. Colfax (Louisiana)
The Colfax Massacre of 1873 marked one of the bloodiest days of Reconstruction. Following a contested election, white supremacists launched a violent assault on Black residents, killing more than 100 people and burning homes and churches to the ground. The tragedy decimated Colfax’s Black community and sent a chilling message throughout the region. Despite its significance, the Colfax Massacre remains a lesser-known chapter in America’s post-Civil War history. Visit History.com for more
