2. Rosewood (Florida)
Rosewood, Florida, once prospered as a close-knit Black community with churches, schools, and successful businesses. In January 1923, a white mob descended on the town after false accusations against a Black resident. The violence was swift and merciless—homes and churches were torched, residents were attacked, and dozens were killed or forced to flee. The entire town was left in ruins, its story hidden from mainstream history for decades. Rosewood’s tragedy only gained widespread recognition generations later. See PBS coverage
