On February 17, 1919, the 369th Infantry
Regiment held a soldiers’ Victory Parade in New York
City. The entire regiment was made up of African
Americans from Harlem and other parts of New York
City. Huge crowds of people came out on a cold, bright
day to cheer them as they marched through the city.
The regiment showed great courage in battle. The
French government awarded all of its soldiers the
highest military honor of France.
In this photograph, Van Der Zee comes up close to
the parade to capture the dignity and pride on the
faces of the soldiers.