September 28

On September 28, 1919, violent race riots began in Omaha, Nebraska, ignited by sensationalized reports of criminal allegations. White mobs targeted African American neighborhoods, looting homes and setting fires amid chaotic street clashes. Local law enforcement struggled to contain the violence, and the National Guard was eventually deployed to restore order. The riots were part of the broader Red Summer, during which numerous cities across the United States experienced racial violence and unrest. At least one black man was lynched, and many community members endured significant losses and trauma. These events underscored deep-seated racial tensions and the urgent need for social reform and civil rights protections.

Fernando Rios, a Mexican tour guide, was violently attacked by a group of assailants in New Orleans. He suffered critical injuries due to homophobic violence at a time when LGBTQ rights were scarcely recognized. Rios succumbed to his wounds on September 28, sparking outrage among emerging civil rights activists. The case highlighted the dangers LGBTQ people faced and the lack of legal protections. Though local authorities offered limited response, Rios's death became a rallying point for early gay-rights advocates. His memory endures as a somber testament to the fight against hate-fueled violence.

On September 28, 2014, protesters in Hong Kong began large-scale demonstrations demanding genuine universal suffrage following a decision by China's National People's Congress Standing Committee to impose threshold restrictions on candidate nominations for the city's 2017 chief executive election. Tens of thousands of students and activists occupied roads in key areas such as Admiralty, Causeway Bay, and Mongkok, using umbrellas as symbols of resistance against police pepper spray. The movement, which came to be known as the Umbrella Movement, saw sit-ins, roadblocks, and human chains that paralyzed parts of the financial district. Protesters called for open nominations and an end to Beijing's vetting of candidates. The events garnered international media coverage and support from pro-democracy groups worldwide. Despite eventual clearance by police and hesitation from the government to meet demands, the protests galvanized a new generation of political activists in Hong Kong and intensified debates over the city's autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework.