black wall street in flames, june 1, 1921 the tulsa race massacre occurred in late may 31 , june 1, 1921. on day of massacre, 35 square blocks of homes , businesses torched mobs of angry whites. ransacking began because of alleged assault of white elevator operator, 17-year-old sarah page, black shoeshiner, 19-year-old dick rowland. attack killed hundreds , left estimated 10,000 people homeless. city of tulsa conspired mob, arresting more 6,000 black residents , refusing provide assistance. law enforcement dropped firebombs on buildings, homes, , fleeing families, stating protecting against negro uprising. massacre omitted state , local records, , mentioned in history books, classrooms, or in private. the community mobilized resources , rebuilt greenwood area within 5 years of tulsa race massacre in spite of political efforts prevent reconstruction, , neighborhood hotbed of jazz , blues in 1920s. however, neighborhood fell prey economic , population drain in 1960s, , of area leve...