Biden Designates Site of 1908 Springfield Race Riot as National Monument

President Joe Biden joined by civil rights leaders, community members, and elected officials, signs a proclamation to designate the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Aug. 16, 2024. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Circled by Democratic lawmakers, civil rights leaders, and community members from behind the White House Resolute desk, President Joe Biden designated a national monument on Aug. 16 in memory of a 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois.

“Over 100 years ago, this week, a mob not far from Lincoln’s home unleashed a race riot in Springfield, and that really shocked the conscience of the nation,” Biden said while signing the proclamation.