On this date in 1863, during the Civil War era in the United States, a violent mob of white rioters destroyed the Colored Orphan Asylum in New York City. This incident took place during the New York City Draft Riots, which were sparked by the implementation of a draft to enlist men for the Union Army. Many working-class white men, particularly Irish immigrants, were angry at being drafted and also resentful of black people, whom they blamed for taking jobs.

The riot, which lasted several days, was marked by extreme violence. The mob attacked black neighborhoods, businesses, and institutions. The Colored Orphan Asylum, which housed around 230 African American children, was set on fire and looted. Fortunately, most of the children were safely evacuated before the destruction.

This tragic event is a stark reminder of the racial tensions and unrest that existed in Northern cities during the Civil War, despite the Union’s fight against slavery. The incident also highlighted the vulnerability of African American institutions and the deeply entrenched racism in society at the time.