Historical Events tagged with "riots"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Los Angeles Riots Erupt After Verdict

April 29th, 1992 32 years ago

Following the acquittal of four police officers involved in the beating of Rodney King, widespread riots broke out in Los Angeles. Over the course of three days, the city descended into chaos, leading to the deaths of 63 individuals and causing extensive property damage across hundreds of buildings. The unrest was fueled by long-standing tensions between the police and the African American community, igniting fierce protests and violent confrontations with law enforcement.

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Sports & Recreation

Violent Clash of Football Fans in Zagreb

May 13th, 1990 34 years ago

The Dinamo–Red Star riot erupted during a football match at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb, Croatia, involving fierce clashes between rival fans, the Bad Blue Boys and the Delije. The match was highly charged, fueled by regional tensions, and escalated into violence both inside and outside the stadium, resulting in numerous injuries and arrests. The confrontation highlighted the deep-seated animosities between the two groups and the socio-political complexities of the time.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Ethnic Unrest in Alma-Ata Over Leadership Change

December 16th, 1986 38 years ago

Riots erupted in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, following Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's dismissal of Dinmukhamed Kunaev, a well-regarded ethnic Kazakh First Secretary, and his replacement by Gennady Kolbin, an ethnic Russian from the Russian SFSR. The local population viewed this change as a disregard for Kazakhstan's ethnic composition and a sign of the Kremlin’s indifference toward Kazakh identity. Protests began peacefully but escalated into violent clashes with the authorities, highlighting deep-rooted ethnic tensions in the region.

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Crime & Law

Murder of Police Constable Keith Blakelock

October 6th, 1985 39 years ago

Police Constable Keith Blakelock was murdered during the Broadwater Farm riots in London. As racial tensions escalated amid ongoing community grievances, Blakelock and his colleagues responded to the unrest triggered by the police's treatment of a local resident. The violence in the area intensified, leading to a confrontation that resulted in Blakelock's tragic death, making him the first police officer to be killed during riots in London since the 1980s.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Battle of the Bogside Erupts in Derry

August 12th, 1969 55 years ago

Following a contentious march by the Apprentice Boys of Derry, significant violence broke out in the Bogside area of Derry, Northern Ireland. The unrest evolved into a three-day riot, which became known as the Battle of the Bogside. Tensions had been escalating due to communal grievances and long-standing political issues, leading residents to barricade themselves in as they confronted police and marchers. The violence intensified, highlighting deep divisions within the community.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Stonewall Riots Spark Gay Rights Movement

June 28th, 1969 55 years ago

The Stonewall riots erupted at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Manhattan, when patrons resisted a police raid on the establishment. The raid, which targeted the LGBTQ+ community, ignited tensions that had built due to years of discrimination and harassment. Patrons fought back rather than comply with the police, and this resistance sparked a series of protests that lasted for days, transforming the Stonewall Inn into a symbol of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. This moment signaled a change in the approach to activism within the community, moving from passive acceptance to active resistance.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Riots Erupt Amidst Racial Tensions in Newark

July 12th, 1967 57 years ago

In 1967, Newark, New Jersey, was the scene of severe riots triggered by racial unrest following the arrest of a Black cab driver, John Smith. The community's frustrations over police treatment and socio-economic disparities boiled over, leading to widespread violence and destruction. Initially ignited after rumors of police abuse, the riots lasted for five days, resulting in significant property damage and multiple fatalities, reflecting deep-seated racial tensions within urban areas.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Hough Riots Erupt in Cleveland's African American Community

July 18th, 1966 58 years ago

A racially charged incident at a bar in Hough, a predominantly African American neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, incited tensions that escalated into widespread riots. Over the course of six days, violence erupted as crowds clashed with police, looting and arson became rampant. The Ohio National Guard was deployed to help restore order, with 1,700 troops mobilized to quell the unrest that stemmed from long-standing grievances over racial inequality and neglect in urban communities. The riots reflected deeper social and economic issues, capturing national attention.

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Politics & Government

Calcutta Experiences Violent Anti-Muslim Riots

January 13th, 1964 61 years ago

In Calcutta, escalating tensions led to violent anti-Muslim riots, driven by the communal unrest in East Pakistan. Approximately one hundred individuals lost their lives amid the chaos. The violence was triggered by recent anti-Hindu riots over the border. The situation rapidly deteriorated as rioters engaged in destructive confrontations, leading to property damage and loss of lives. The intense communal conflict highlighted the fragile state of Hindu-Muslim relations during this period.

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