The U.N.I.A. conference at madison square garden
One hundred years ago today … the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) meeting arrived at Madison Square Garden after a parade through the Manhattan streets. The conference had opened two days earlier at Liberty Hall in Harlem. (See our August 1 post.)
According to UNIA’s own report in the Negro World Convention Bulletin, 3 August 1920:
The seating capacity of the Garden, including the arena, is estimated at 25,000. Every available seat was occupied, not only the boxes and tiers of the four galleries were crowded, but the vast floor space of the building as well. On the north side was erected the speakers’ platform, which was covered with the American flag and the flag of the UNIA. These flags, similarly intertwined, hung in other parts of the hall, which together with the banners of the various branches and divisions of the association throughout its jurisdiction, presented a patriotic and pleasing appearance to the eye.
The Madison Square Garden of 1920 was located in . . . wait for it . . . Madison Square, specifically between 25th and 26th Streets and between Fifth and Madison Avenue. It is sometimes referred to as Madison Square Garden II, as it was the second of four structures to bear that name. It would be torn down in 1925.
Madison Square Garden in 1920. Pinterest.
WRITTEN BY JONATHAN GOLDMAN, AUGUST 3, 2020.
TAGS: Marcus Garvey, U.N.I.A., UNIA, African American history, black history, Harlem Renaissance, MSG