On September 6, 1876, a race riot occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. This was a period marked by racial tensions, as the South struggled to rebuild and integrate formerly enslaved African Americans into society.

The Charleston riot was sparked by political and racial tensions between white Democrats and the newly enfranchised black voters, who were largely aligned with the Republican Party. The immediate cause was the efforts of white Democrats to suppress black voting rights and regain control of the state government.

The riot began after a confrontation between black and white groups. White supremacists sought to intimidate black citizens, especially as they prepared for elections. Violence erupted, with shootings, stabbings, and other forms of aggression. Although the riot itself was relatively short, the racial tensions that fueled it would continue to affect Charleston and the broader South in the years that followed.

This event is part of the larger pattern of racial violence and intimidation during Reconstruction, as white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan sought to undermine the political gains of African Americans.