The Orangeburg Massacre occurred on February 8, 1968, at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. A group of African American students had been protesting racial segregation at a local bowling alley when tensions escalated. Law enforcement officers fired into the crowd of unarmed protesters, killing three students and injuring many others.

The victims of the Orangeburg Massacre were Samuel Hammond Jr., Delano Middleton, and Henry Smith. The tragedy received national attention and highlighted the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality in the United States. The incident also brought attention to the excessive use of force by law enforcement against peaceful protesters, particularly African Americans.

The Orangeburg Massacre is considered one of the deadliest incidents of civil rights-related violence in the South during the 1960s. The lack of accountability for the officers involved in the shooting sparked further outrage and calls for justice. The incident remains an important and tragic chapter in Black history, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those fighting for equality and justice.