This Week in History- September 1st – September 7th

While many opinions were voiced, the most common were support for his peaceful protest and condemnation of his actions. Those who were in favor of his choice argued that it was his First Amendment right to kneel during the national anthem, and that his message aligned with the freedom represented by the flag. In the Atlantic News Telegraph, published the day before Kaepernick kneeled, the San Francisco 49ers coach shared with reporters that while he doesn’t agree with Kaepernick’s decision, they “recognize his right to express his feelings”. Kaepernick himself explained that he chose to kneel because he didn’t feel pride in standing for a country that oppressed people like him based on their skin color. Those who were opposed to Kaepernick’s decision argued that while it was his right, it was disrespectful to all those who had sacrificed to protect the freedom of the American people. They believed that there was a time and place for protest, and the national anthem was not that place.

While Kaepernick continued to play that season, he was later forced to leave the NFL because no team would sign him as a free agent. Despite the consequences his career faced, his actions inspired other athletes to peacefully protest during the national anthem as well. Other professional athletes, including fellow NFL football players like Travis Kelce, joined him as he kneeled during the national anthem or did so at their own games. Kaepernick’s peaceful protest became a symbol for the movement to stop racial violence, and despite its controversy remains one of the biggest moments of the racial justice movement. 

(1945 – 1980s) Integrating Inequality: Little Rock Nine Begin to Integrate, 1957

The Little Rock Nine, a group of 9 African American students, were designated to be the first to integrate Arkansas’ Little Rock Central High School. It was this week in 1957 that they were supposed to integrate the school, but were stopped by the national guard and angry mobs. On September 2nd, the day before their scheduled first day, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus called the National Guard to the school. In the Southwest American, published September 3rd, 1957, summarized the public address Faubus gave the night before, saying that the Guard was essential to prevent what he believed was inevitable violence should the group integrate the school. That day, the group was blocked from entering the school. Again, on September 4th, they attempted to enter the school, this time being blocked by an angry mob. It wasn’t until September 23rd that they were finally able to enter the school, which lasted merely 3 hours before the students returned home due to the abusive treatment they received from fellow students. On September 25th, the Little Rock Nine finally began to attend the high school regularly after President Eisenhower became involved in the integration effort.

On September 1, 1939, Germany began to invade Poland under the leadership of the Nazi Regime. Their first action against the Poles was to use a strategy that the Nazi regime later became known for, as they repeatedly dropped bombs on major cities, most notably Warsaw. Once properly decimated, the Germans pushed into Poland to occupy the country. In the Newark Evening News, published on September 1st, 1939, they described a scene of bombs raining death upon Warsaw as other nations’ leaders gathered to form plans of action. Hitler justified his actions in Poland by suggesting that they had been planning to invade Germany and were acting in self-defense. However, the most accurate reason for this invasion is that Hitler wanted to expand German territory, creating more space for his “master race” to occupy. Poland was the first country in his expansion project. While it took nearly a month for Germany to completely take over Poland, this invasion triggered other European countries like Britain and France to declare war on Germany, a conflict that developed in World War II. 

(1824 – 1914) A Day Turned Deadly: McKinley Shot, 1901

William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States. He served from March 4th, 1897, until his death on September 14th, 1901. During his presidency, he led the United States to victory in the Spanish-American War and implemented tariffs to boost the growth.

 President McKinley was visiting Buffalo, New York, to attend Buffalo’s Pan-American Exposition. While there, he gave a speech and toured the fair, then went to the temple of music to hold a public reception. On September 6, 1901, Leon Czolgosz, his assassin, was in line to meet the president. When it was his turn, he concealed his gun in his right hand by wrapping it in a handkerchief and shook the president with his left hand while he used his right to shoot him twice in the abdomen. In the Sparta Ishmaelite, they described the scene after security rushed to the president’s side and the assailant was captured by law enforcement. They explained that Czologsz would remain in custody, where his punishment would be decided upon McKinley’s death or recovery. They explained that if the president survived, Czologsz would receive 10 years in prison, but if the president died, he would be sentenced to death. McKinley was taken to a hospital where he remained until his death on September 14th, 1901, from complications following his shooting.

Join me again next week to discover more of history’s hidden gems and timeless tales.