Bicycle Corps: America's Black Army on Wheels (1999)
Genres - Sports & Recreation, Historical Film |
Sub-Genres - Inventions & Innovations, Military & War, Social History |
Run Time - 60 min. |
Countries - United States |
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Synopsis by Rose of Sharon Winter
The invention of the bicycle in the 1890s revolutionized American society. In keeping with the times, the United States Army sought to upgrade its transport system by incorporating the bicycle into its inventory. But first the new-fangled bicycle needed testing. The Army called upon 20 soldiers -- all African-American -- to make sure the vehicle was roadworthy. To do so, in 1897, the men bicycled from Ft. Missoula, MT, to St. Louis, MO. Archival photographs, journals, and letters recapture the eventful ride.
Characteristics
Keywords
army, bicycle, Black [race]
