81st Anniversary Of The Port Chicago Explosion - 320 People Died On July 17, 1944

81st Anniversary Of The Port Chicago Explosion - 320 People Died On July 17, 1944

Today is the 81st anniversary of the tragic explosion in Port Chicago. On July 17, 1944, 4600 tons on the Liberty Ship E.A. Bryan, and another 400 tons of explosives on the pier all went up in two separate blasts, which were 7 seconds apart. The explosion is recorded as one of the largest man-made, non-nuclear explosions in history. This explosion accounts for 15% of all African-American casualties in World War II. 320 men were killed, and anoth…

Supervisors honor Port Chicago Remembrance Day

Photo courtesy Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 17, 2025) — This month, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors joined community members and advocates in recognizing Port Chicago Remembrance Day, which is observed annually on July 17. The recognition honors the 320 lives lost in the devastating 1944 munitions explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in Concord. The majority of those killed were you…