Savannah Renames Square, Honoring Susie King Taylor and Replacing Calhoun's Legacy
Savannah's city council has voted to rename a downtown square in honor of Susie King Taylor, a Black woman who taught formerly enslaved people to read and write. This marks the first time in 140 years that Savannah has approved a name change for one of its squares, which have traditionally been dedicated to prominent white men. The square was previously named after John C. Calhoun, a former U.S. vice president and slavery advocate. The decision to rename the square reflects a historic break with the city's slavery-era past and is seen as a significant step towards recognizing the contributions of Black individuals in Savannah's history.