February 14, 1936 The inaugural meeting of the National Negro Congress was convened at the Eighth Regiment Armory in Chicago, Illinois.

The purpose was to build a national constituency to pressure government for labor and civil rights.

Over 800 people, representing 500 organizations attended and the event was described as “the most ambitious effort for bringing together members of the Race on any single issue.” The NNC disbanded in 1947 because of Cold War suppression.