It is said that a definitive moment that marked the beginning of the Harlem Renaissance was the victory parade of the 369th Infantry Regiment, 1,300 black heroes known as Harlem Hell Fighters, every man decorated, with the Cross of War, by the French Government, returning from WW I, marching up Fifth Avenue and into Harlem on February 17, l9l9. This event which also celebrates the jazz band of James Reese Europe is rich in historical data and photographs, and another group of students could easily research it both on the internet (see suggested web sites in the bibliography) and in books about the Renaissance. David Levering Lewis wrote a highly descriptive essay titled “Fighting on Two Fronts” found in his book When Harlem was in Vogue, about the Victory Parade up Fifth Avenue.
Although James Reese Europe was killed shortly following his return from WW I, he, with his Harlem Band that led the 369th Regiment Victory Parade up Fifth Avenue, is credited with creating a major revelation by introducing jazz to Europe during the war. Europe and his band are interesting topics for research on the internet.
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