The Orangeburg Massacre took place on February 8, 1968, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The incident occurred during a period of racial tension and civil rights activism in the United States. A group of African American students from South Carolina State University and Claflin College were protesting racial segregation at a local bowling alley when violence erupted.

Law enforcement officers, including state highway patrolmen, became involved in the confrontation with the students. The officers fired into the crowd of demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of three young African American men: Samuel Hammond Jr., Delano Middleton, and Henry Smith. Twenty-eight other individuals were also injured in the shooting.

The Orangeburg Massacre was a tragic event that highlighted the continued struggles for racial justice and equality in America. It also raised awareness about the use of excessive force by law enforcement against peaceful protesters. The incident remains a significant part of Black history and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for civil rights during the tumultuous era of the 1960s.