The Eighth Regiment Armory was the first armory structure to be erected for a regiment commanded entirely by African-Americans. The Eighth Regiment was especially noted for its service record during World War I. Originally organized as a volunteer regiment drawn from the black community during the Spanish-American War in 1898, the Fighting Eighth was established as an infantry section of the Illinois National Guard. The Fighting Eighth gained special note as the last regiment to drive German forces from the Aisne-Marne region before the Armistice on November 11, 1918. The Eighth Regiment Armory is located at 3533 South Giles Street.
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