12 Shocking Attacks on U.S. Soil You Might Not Have Learned in School - History Collection

1. The Wilmington Insurrection of 1898

In 1898, Wilmington, North Carolina became the site of a violent coup d’état—the only one in U.S. history. White supremacists armed themselves, overthrew the city’s legitimately elected biracial government, and unleashed chaos in the streets. Dozens of Black residents were killed, and many more were forced to flee their homes permanently. Those responsible not only seized power but also rewrote local laws to suppress Black political participation for decades. This dark chapter remains largely overlooked in mainstream history books.

2. The Tulsa Race Massacre (1921)

One of the most devastating episodes of racial violence in American history occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Greenwood district, often called “Black Wall Street.” A white mob attacked the thriving Black community, resulting in the deaths of up to 300 residents. Homes, businesses, and churches were burned to the ground, leaving thousands homeless overnight. For decades, the full scope of this atrocity was suppressed or ignored in school curricula. Only recently has the Tulsa Race Massacre begun to receive the national attention it deserves.

3. The Bath School Disaster (1927)

Long before school safety became a national issue, the Bath School Disaster shocked the nation. In 1927, a disgruntled school board member in Bath Township, Michigan, planted explosives in the local school. The resulting blasts killed 45 people—most of them children—and injured dozens more. The tragedy devastated the small community and remains the deadliest school massacre in U.S. history. Despite its horror, this event is rarely discussed in classrooms today.

4. The Los Angeles Zoot Suit Riots (1943)

In the summer of 1943, racial tensions erupted on the streets of Los Angeles. Servicemen, fueled by wartime anxieties, clashed violently with Mexican American youths—many of whom wore distinctive “zoot suits.” For days, the city saw beatings and arrests, while authorities often sided with the aggressors. These riots highlighted deep-seated discrimination, yet they’ve been overshadowed by broader World War II narratives. The Zoot Suit Riots remain a stark reminder of the struggles for justice and acceptance faced by minority communities.

5. The Wall Street Bombing (1920)

On a busy September afternoon in 1920, a horse-drawn wagon packed with explosives detonated outside the J.P. Morgan headquarters on Wall Street. The blast killed 38 people and injured hundreds more, throwing the city into chaos. Investigators suspected anarchists, but the case was never officially solved. This early act of domestic terrorism sent shockwaves through the nation’s financial center and remains one of America’s most mysterious attacks. Discover more about the Wall Street Bombing and its enduring impact.

6. The Ludlow Massacre (1914)

The Ludlow Massacre stands as a grim chapter in America’s labor history. In April 1914, striking coal miners and their families in Ludlow, Colorado, were attacked by the Colorado National Guard and company guards. Gunfire erupted, and the attackers set the miners’ tent colony ablaze. Twenty-five people—including women and children—lost their lives in the chaos. This brutal assault exposed the deadly consequences of labor disputes and corporate power, yet it’s a story rarely discussed in classrooms today.

7. The MOVE Bombing (1985)

In one of the most shocking uses of force by law enforcement, Philadelphia police dropped a bomb on the home of the Black liberation group MOVE in 1985. The explosion and resulting fire destroyed more than 60 homes and killed 11 people, including five children. This dramatic escalation stunned the nation and drew attention to the issue of police militarization. Despite the scale and controversy, the MOVE bombing is still not widely taught in schools.

8. The Kent State Shootings (1970)

On May 4, 1970, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed student protesters at Kent State University. Four students were killed and nine others wounded during demonstrations against the Vietnam War. The shootings sent shockwaves across the country, galvanizing antiwar sentiment and igniting widespread outrage. This tragedy remains an enduring symbol of the risks of government force against its own citizens.

9. The Burning of Washington (1814)

During the War of 1812, British forces invaded the U.S. capital and set fire to key government buildings, including the Capitol and the White House. The attack left much of Washington, D.C. in ruins and forced government leaders to flee. This bold act of aggression remains a sobering reminder of America’s vulnerability to foreign threats on its own soil. Though eventually rebuilt, the scars of the Burning of Washington still echo through history.

10. The Battle of Blair Mountain (1921)

In 1921, West Virginia was the scene of the largest labor uprising in U.S. history. Thousands of armed coal miners clashed with law enforcement and company-backed strikebreakers on Blair Mountain. The battle raged for days, leaving dozens dead and drawing national attention to the harsh realities faced by workers. Though largely forgotten in mainstream education, the Battle of Blair Mountain remains a landmark event in the ongoing struggle for labor rights and justice.

11. The 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing (1963)

On a quiet Sunday morning in 1963, the Ku Klux Klan planted a bomb at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The explosion killed four young girls and injured many others, sending shockwaves throughout the nation. This act of terror laid bare the deadly consequences of racial hatred and became a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement. The tragedy remains a symbol of resilience and a call for justice. Learn more about the event here.

12. The Puerto Rican Nationalist Attack on Congress (1954)

In 1954, four Puerto Rican nationalists stormed the House of Representatives gallery and opened fire during a session of Congress. Five Congressmen were wounded in the attack, which was intended to draw attention to the cause of Puerto Rican independence. This shocking act of political violence is rarely included in mainstream history lessons, despite its dramatic impact on national security.