80th Archives

Justice at Last: U.S. Navy Exonerates Black Sailors on 80th Anniversary of Port Chicago Tragedy

Port Chicago, California — An emotional remembrance marked the 80th anniversary of the 1944 Port Chicago explosion on Saturday, a tragic event that claimed the lives of over 300 sailors and civilians, most of whom were Black. The memorial was deeply significant this year following the recent exoneration of 256 Black sailors unjustly punished in the aftermath of the catastrophe. The explosion, one of World War II’s most tragic domestic military accidents, occurred on July …

Concord Commemorates 80th Anniversary of WWII’s Most Devastating Homefront Disaster

Concord, CA – Eight decades after the most catastrophic homefront disaster during World War II, the community of Concord gathered on Saturday to honor the memory of those whose lives were abruptly lost. The memorial service, held in a local historical park, brought together families, veterans, and city officials in a somber reflection of the past, highlighting a tragedy that still resonates deeply in the town’s collective memory. The disaster occurred in 1944 when an …

Remembering Port Chicago: Calls for Justice on 80th Anniversary of Naval Explosion That Highlighted Racial Inequality

On the night of July 17, 1944, a catastrophic explosion at the Naval Munitions Depot near Port Chicago, California, not only shook the physical landscape but also heralded pivotal changes in military policy and civil rights. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the disaster, which claimed the lives of 320 servicemen, predominantly African American sailors. At this landmark anniversary, there is a growing clamor among relatives and communities to rectify past wrongs and honor …

Oregon Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Tragic 1944 Munitions Explosion at Umatilla Army Ordnance Depot

HERMISTON, OR – In a solemn commemoration of the tragic events that unfolded 80 years ago, the Columbia Development Authority and the Oregon Military Department came together to honor the memory of the six workers who lost their lives in the 1944 munitions explosion at the former Umatilla Army Ordnance Depot. The memorial service, held on March 21, 2024, served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served their country. State …