1920 – Marcus Garvey Speaks at Madison Square Garden

On May 16, 1920, Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), delivered one of his most powerful addresses at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Speaking to a crowd of over 20,000 Black supporters, Garvey emphasized pride in African heritage, economic self-reliance, and the dream of a united Africa. At the height of the “Back to Africa” movement, Garvey’s speeches galvanized Black communities around the world to build institutions independent of white control. His call for Black nationalism was revolutionary and controversial, drawing both praise and criticism. Though his later legal troubles would tarnish his legacy in some circles, Garvey’s rhetoric and vision left an indelible mark on Pan-African thought, inspiring future leaders like Malcolm X and Kwame Nkrumah. This moment at Madison Square Garden exemplified Garvey’s unmatched ability to mobilize Black people globally.