The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on July 28, 1868, meaning it officially became law on that date. It granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including formerly enslaved individuals, and guaranteed equal protection under the law.

On July 28, 1917, thousands of Black Americans participated in the Silent Protest Parade in New York City, marching down Fifth Avenue to protest lynching, racial violence, and discrimination.

Key Facts About the Silent Protest Parade:

• Organized by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and led by civil rights leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois and James Weldon Johnson.
• The march was a silent demonstration, with participants dressed in white (women and children) and black suits (men), carrying signs that called for justice.
• It was one of the earliest mass civil rights protests in U.S. history.
• The march was a response to the East St. Louis Massacre (July 1917), where white mobs attacked Black residents, killing hundreds and burning homes.

This powerful demonstration set the stage for future civil rights movements, proving the impact of peaceful protests against racial injustice.

On July 28, 1915, U.S. Marines landed in Haiti, beginning an occupation that lasted until 1934. This intervention was primarily driven by U.S. concerns over political instability, economic interests, and fears of foreign influence (especially from Germany) in the Caribbean.

The occupation turned Haiti into a de facto U.S. protectorate, as American forces took control of the government, finance, and infrastructure. While some modernization efforts took place, the occupation faced strong Haitian resistance, particularly from the Cacos, rural insurgents who fought against U.S. control.

The U.S. finally withdrew in 1934 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy, but Haiti remained under U.S. financial oversight until 1947.