Celebrate Buffalo Soldiers Day Every July 28

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In honor of the first African-American Army regiments we observe Buffalo Soldiers Day on July 28.

The very first Buffalo Soldiers Day was in 1992. On that day General Colin Powell dedicated a monument to the Buffalo Soldier at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

 

Buffalo Soldiers History

Congress formed 6 all African American Army regiments in 1866, two cavalry and 4 infantry. They were part of the largest peacetime army in the country’s history at that time.

The term “buffalo soldiers” originally referred to the Army’s 10th Cavalry Regiment.

Native American tribes they fought against gave them the name, although which tribe and why isn’t clear. The most likely story of who seems to be the one from Colonel Benjamin Grierson (commander of the 10th) who said the Comanches gave them the name after an 1871 campaign. The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum says Cheyenne warriors came up with the name in 1877.

Whichever story is correct, the Apache also adopted the same name for the soldiers. When isn’t clear.

As for the why, it was either because they had curly, kinky hair like bison or it referred to their bravery and toughness in battle. Or maybe it’s a combination of both. Either way, many believe it was used as a term of respect. A few historians do think it was used as an insult.

Eventually Buffalo Soldiers came to refer to all the black regiments formed in 1866: the 9th & 10th Cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry (later reorganized as the 24th & 25th Infantry).

Other Buffalo Soldier units were formed over the years.

In the mid-1900s the military started disbanding the Buffalo Soldier units as it worked on becoming more integrated. The last Buffalo Soldier Cavalry units were disbanded in 1951.

The oldest living Buffalo Soldier, Mark Matthews, died at 111 years old on September 6, 2005 in Washington, DC. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

In 2009 the remains of 64 Buffalo Soldiers were removed from the Fort Craig cemetery in New Mexico because of looting and reburied at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Congress passed legislation in 1992 (PDF) officially naming July 28 as Buffalo Soldiers Day.

Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this official but little-known holiday.

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How to Observe Buffalo Soldiers Day

See if there’s a reenactment, museum display or prayer service to honor the day near you.

If not, use the day to remember the brave soldiers who fought for, and often gave their lives for, a country that often treated them poorly.

If you’re in or near Houston, Texas, stop by the Buffalo Soldier Museum.

You may also be interested in watching one of these movies:

• Glory
• Buffalo Soldiers

Will you be remembering the Buffalo Soldiers for this day?

 

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