A little reason to celebrate
Buffalo Soldiers Day
History · Commemorative · July 28
Buffalo Soldiers Day honors the Black soldiers of the US Army regiments known as Buffalo Soldiers and their long record of service.
Buffalo Soldiers Day falls on Wednesday, July 28, 2027. That is 274 days away.
Buffalo Soldiers were Black soldiers who served in all-Black regiments of the United States Army after the Civil War. The name covered cavalry and infantry units, and the soldiers carried it with pride.
Their work was hard and often far from home. They served on the western frontier, building roads, escorting mail and travelers, and guarding remote posts. They did this while facing discrimination from the country they served, which makes their record of discipline and service all the more striking.
Some Buffalo Soldiers served as park protectors in Yosemite and Sequoia before the National Park Service existed. They patrolled the backcountry, kept out illegal grazing and helped build trails, and parts of that work still shape how visitors move through those parks.
People mark the day by learning the stories of individual soldiers, visiting museums and historic forts, and attending local events held by veterans' groups and historical societies. Some families trace relatives who served in these regiments, using military and census records to fill in names and units.
The term itself has a story too. It is commonly said that Native Americans on the plains gave the soldiers the name, and the regiments later used a buffalo on their insignia.
Ways to celebrate
- Read about a Buffalo Soldier regiment and the places it served.
- Visit a museum or historic fort with Buffalo Soldier exhibits.
- Attend a local ceremony or talk hosted by veterans or historians.
- Look for Buffalo Soldier history on a national park's website.
- Share a soldier's story with a friend or family member.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, July 28 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, July 28 |
| 2028 | Friday, July 28 |
| 2029 | Saturday, July 28 |
| 2030 | Sunday, July 28 |
Also on July 28
Categories: History daysCommemorative days