History at Home by Kevin Frazier
LEARNING LABS
The Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA) is the archives of the Smithsonian Institution.
ART, HISTORY AND CULTURE LEARNING LAB FOR YOUTH
Greetings from the Education Team of the National Museum of African American History and Culture!!
https://learninglab.si.edu/org/nmaahc
We are excited to share objects, stories, and resources that tell American history through the African American lens! Our Learning Lab collections provide ways to explore well-known and lesser-known moments of history by utilizing objects, documents, imagery, and videos to enhance content knowledge, hone historical thinking skills and inspire users to see themselves as agents of change.
The Smithsonian Institution Archives (SIA) is the archives of the Smithsonian Institution.
ART, HISTORY AND CULTURE LEARNING LAB FOR YOUTH
Greetings from the Education Team of the National Museum of African American History and Culture!!
https://learninglab.si.edu/org/nmaahc
We are excited to share objects, stories, and resources that tell American history through the African American lens! Our Learning Lab collections provide ways to explore well-known and lesser-known moments of history by utilizing objects, documents, imagery, and videos to enhance content knowledge, hone historical thinking skills and inspire users to see themselves as agents of change.
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Buffalo Soldiers History and Facts
Buffalo Soldiers originally were members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, formed on September 21, 1866 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Buffalo Soldiers soon comprised other regiments, including the 9th, 24th, 27th and 28th cavalry divisions.
The nickname was given by the native American tribes they fought. According to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, the name originated with the Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The actual Cheyenne translation was “Wild Buffalo”. Writer Walter Hill documented the origin of the name according to an account by Colonel Benjamin Grierson, who founded the 10th Cavalry regiment, recalling an 1871 campaign against the Comanche tribe.
Some say the nickname was given out of respect for the fierce fighting ability of the 10th cavalry. Others claim that native Americans called the black cavalry troops “buffalo soldiers” because of their dark curly hair, which resembled a buffalo’s coat. Still other sources point to a combination of both legends.
The term Buffalo Soldiers became a generic term for all black soldiers. It is now used for U.S. Army units that trace their direct lineage back to the 9th and 10th Cavalry, units whose bravery earned them an honored place in U.S. history. Not all of the recruits were former slaves; most were free blacks of Northern parentage and many had served with distinction during the Civil War.
Buffalo Soldiers Facts
The nickname was given by the native American tribes they fought. According to the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, the name originated with the Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The actual Cheyenne translation was “Wild Buffalo”. Writer Walter Hill documented the origin of the name according to an account by Colonel Benjamin Grierson, who founded the 10th Cavalry regiment, recalling an 1871 campaign against the Comanche tribe.
Some say the nickname was given out of respect for the fierce fighting ability of the 10th cavalry. Others claim that native Americans called the black cavalry troops “buffalo soldiers” because of their dark curly hair, which resembled a buffalo’s coat. Still other sources point to a combination of both legends.
The term Buffalo Soldiers became a generic term for all black soldiers. It is now used for U.S. Army units that trace their direct lineage back to the 9th and 10th Cavalry, units whose bravery earned them an honored place in U.S. history. Not all of the recruits were former slaves; most were free blacks of Northern parentage and many had served with distinction during the Civil War.
Buffalo Soldiers Facts
- First to experiment with bicycles.
- In 1898, saved the 71st New York in the now famous charge up San Juan Hill.
- Major factor in the victory of the Spanish american War.
- Represented over 20 percent of all U.S. Calvary Units until early 1890.
- In 1867, featured in Harper’s Weekly as the fiercest of all U.S. Military Units.
- Lt. Col. George Custer declined to command the Buffalo Soldiers whom he call “Brunettes”.
- 19 Congressional Medals of Honor.
- 5 West Point Graduates.
- Considered by many as “The Worlds Best Horsemen”.
Washington State History
Tacoma, Washington - Military Parade 1950
Black Soldiers Serving America
The Buffalo Soldiers played a significant role here is Washington State since late 1800’s. Buffalo Soldiers were stewards and the Nation’s first National Park Service rangers. This term was Buffalo Soldiers refers to the all-black soldiers of the Unites States Army from 1866 – 1944. This is a story about “LOVE OF LIBERTY” and America. This map illustrates their service to the United States Armed Forces.