07/28/2026
Today is Buffalo Soldier Day, did you know we owe much of our California history to these brave men?
Created by an Act of Congress following the Civil War, the six all-Black units were eventually consolidated into four legendary regiments: the 9th and 10th Cavalry, and the 24th and 25th Infantry. According to historical lore, Native American tribes coined the term "Buffalo Soldiers". They gave the moniker because the soldiers' dark, curly hair resembled the fur of the revered buffalo, and their fierce, relentless fighting style reminded them of the animal. The soldiers embraced the name as a badge of honor. They patrolled the remote frontier, mapped vast, unexplored territories, built roads, and protected settlers and stagecoach during the countries booming western expansion. Between 1891 and 1913, long before the National Park Service was established, Buffalo Soldiers served as some of the country's first national park rangers, protecting Sequoia and Yosemite from poachers and loggers. Beyond the American frontier, these regiments fought with distinction in the Spanish-American War (including the famous charge up San Juan Hill), the Philippine-American War, and both World Wars.
Despite serving with exceptional courage, the Buffalo Soldiers faced systemic racism at home and were routinely denied proper recognition. Over the course of the Indian Wars, 18 African American enlisted men were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery.
The all-Black units remained segregated until 1948, when President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order ending segregation in the U.S. military. Their legacy lives on in historical archives and popular culture, most notably memorialized in Bob Marley's reggae classic "Buffalo Soldier". You can explore more of their decorated history and preserved sites through the U.S. National Park Service or the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
