Today is National Buffalo Soldier Day! On September 21, 1886, in Leavenworth, Kansas, the first Buffalo Soldiers assembled. They were comprised of African American soldiers who served in the 9th and 10th cavalry regiments.

They were given the name “Buffalo Soldiers” by Native Americans. There are two theories as to the origins of the buffalo soldier moniker. One is that the soldiers hair represented the curly hides of the bison on the plain. The other is that the natives honored them with the name after seeing how fiercely they fought, and they had great respect for them.

The Buffalo Soldiers not only fought against the Native American’s to secure safe travel on America’s quest for western expansion. The Buffalo Soldiers also served as our first National Park Rangers, fighting fires and poachers in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

President Harry Truman issued executive order #1998, in 1948, which eliminated racial segregation in the US Armed Forces. Prior to this, the Buffalo Soldiers did serve in the First World War, but were mostly relegated to serving on the Mexican border. During the 1950’s, all remaining African American-only troops were disbanded.

Buffalo Soldiers had the lowest rate of desertion and court martial of any regiment. The last living buffalo soldier, Mark Matthews, passed in 2005 at the age of 111.

Enjoy National Buffalo Soldier Day with Arcola Feed!