TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The U.S. Senate passed a resolutionrecognizing the importance of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre’s 100-year anniversary. 

It acknowledges the massacre as the “worst race massacre in the history of the United States,” and it calls on the Department of the Interior to get the Greenwood District on the National Registry of Historical Places as soon as possible.

The resolution also recognizes Oklahoma’s historically Black towns.

Following the passage of the resolution, Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford gave a speech to tell the history of the massacre. 

“This is our moment as a state to honor and recognize the lives lost, the survivors, and the continued growth of Greenwood on the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre,” Lankford said in a news release. “Oklahomans want the nation to know the accurate history of events 100 years ago, the growing economic development in the Greenwood District, and the continued work toward reconciliation. The importance of this work will grow after the anniversary, and I look forward to continuing to walk with my many friends in Greenwood as well as tell the story of tragedy to triumph.”

The 1921 Race Massacre Centennial Commission’s “Remember & Rise” event will take place at Tulsa’s ONEOK Field on May 31 to commemorate the anniversary. 

It will stream it live on tulsa2021.org.