13 Historic Events That Were Almost Erased From the Record
History isn’t just about what’s remembered; it’s also about what nearly got lost. Some moments were hidden, silenced, or forgotten, either by accident or by design. These events teetered on the edge of oblivion before being rediscovered or finally acknowledged, and each one reminds us how fragile our collective memory can be.
- Tricia Quitales
- 4 min read
Not every important historical event makes it into the textbooks or museum tours. Some were nearly erased by censorship, shame, or simple neglect, only to be uncovered years or even centuries later. This list highlights 13 powerful moments in history that were almost forgotten, from buried massacres to forbidden inventions. Each event shows how easily vital truths can vanish without someone fighting to preserve them. Understanding these near-lost stories gives us a more honest and complete view of the past.
1. The Tulsa Race Massacre (1921)
United States Library of Congress on Wikimedia
For decades, the destruction of the thriving Black neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was left out of most American history books. White mobs burned homes and businesses, killing hundreds, while the government largely stayed silent. Only in recent years has the story gained mainstream attention and been officially recognized.
2. The Halifax Explosion (1917)
William James on Wikimedia
In Canada, a massive explosion leveled part of Halifax when a ship carrying explosives collided in the harbor. The blast was so powerful that it was the largest man-made explosion before nuclear weapons. Despite its scale, it was rarely taught outside Nova Scotia until recently.
3. The Lost Women Codebreakers of WWII
Bransby, David, photographer. on Wikimedia
At Bletchley Park, thousands of women worked in top-secret codebreaking roles during World War II. Their contributions were vital to cracking Nazi communications, but they were sworn to silence for decades. Many died before ever receiving recognition for their service.
4. The Expulsion of the Acadians (1755)
Manner of Thomas Davies on Wikimedia
Thousands of French-speaking Acadians were forcibly removed from eastern Canada by the British, many of them dying during the harsh journey. The story became buried in colonial narratives until cultural revival efforts in the 20th century helped bring it back to light. It’s a central part of Cajun ancestry today.
5. The Battle of Blair Mountain (1921)
Kinograms on Wikimedia
One of the largest labor uprisings in U.S. history took place in West Virginia, where thousands of coal miners took up arms against corrupt companies. The government sent in troops and planes, and the story was quickly buried in national memory. It’s now seen as a major moment in labor rights history.
6. The Zoot Suit Riots (1943)
Associated Press on Wikimedia
In Los Angeles, servicemen attacked young Latino men wearing zoot suits in a racially charged outbreak of violence. Authorities arrested the victims, not the attackers, and the incident was largely forgotten outside of Chicano communities. Only recently has it been revisited as a civil rights issue.
7. The Destruction of Seneca Village (1857)
Jet Lowe on Wikimedia
Before Central Park existed, a Black community called Seneca Village thrived on the land. The city forcibly cleared it to build the park, and its memory was nearly erased. Archaeological digs and historical research have since revived its story.
8. The Forgotten Flu Pandemic of 1918
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology/National Museum of Health and Medicine, distributed via the Associated Press on Wikimedia
Despite killing more than 50 million people, the 1918 influenza pandemic was rarely mentioned in public memory. Many survivors didn’t speak of it, and it was overshadowed by World War I. Interest surged again during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing attention to its eerie parallels.
9. The Rosewood Massacre (1923)
The Literary Digest Magazine on Wikimedia
In Florida, the Black town of Rosewood was destroyed by a white mob after false accusations against a local resident. The survivors were scattered, and the story was deliberately suppressed. It wasn’t officially acknowledged until the 1990s.
10. The Ludlow Massacre (1914)
Bain News Service on Wikimedia
In Colorado, striking miners and their families were attacked by the Colorado National Guard in a deadly raid. Women and children were killed in tent colonies, but the event was quickly covered up. It took decades before it was taught in labor history.
11. The Philadelphia MOVE Bombing (1985)
Philadelphia MOVE Bombing on Wikimedia
Police dropped a bomb on a row house in a residential Philly neighborhood to remove a radical group called MOVE. The resulting fire killed 11 people, including children, and destroyed over 60 homes. The story was underreported at the time but has since resurfaced as an example of excessive force.
12. The Great Smog of London (1952)
Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels
A thick, toxic smog blanketed London for five days, killing thousands due to pollution. At the time, the government downplayed the health impact. It took years of investigation before it led to major environmental reforms.
13. The Japanese American Draft Resisters of WWII
Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia
While many Japanese Americans served honorably in WWII, others who resisted the draft from within internment camps were vilified and nearly forgotten. They believed it was unjust to fight for a country that stripped them of rights. Today, their stand is seen as a courageous act of civil disobedience.