On this date in 1898, during the Spanish-American War, the Tenth Cavalry, a regiment of the famed Buffalo Soldiers, played a crucial role in the Battle of El Caney and later helped relieve Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the charge at San Juan Hill.

Four Black regiments—the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry—were instrumental in the battles around Santiago, Cuba. Their bravery and combat effectiveness were widely recognized, despite facing discrimination both within and outside the military.

Additionally, 16 regiments of Black volunteers were recruited to serve during the war, further highlighting the contributions of African American soldiers in this pivotal conflict. Their heroism helped shape the legacy of Black military service in the United States.