A Sad Day for D.C.: Remembering the 1968 Riots

7 thoughts on “A Sad Day for D.C.: Remembering the 1968 Riots”

1. It was more than just a day. We were out of school for two weeks….and then only after the National Guard was posted on our streets!

2. I remember it well – looking down from the living room window as the National Guard lined our neighborhood streets!

3. That's an amazing photo. How could that be a scene from the capital of the free world?

4. Really no big deal, just another fire, but a whole lot in a short time. And at most fires, no soldiers. FYI: Only the 101st had ammo – as they weren’t in the streets. They were at the US Capitol. These soldiers (and cops) were ordered not to interfere or stop any riot actions, hence no bullets. Barney Fife had at least one bullet. We never learn, hence Navy Yard.

5. Not sure what they’re protecting in a pile of burned out rubble, with no bullets. Sad, yes.

6. I remember seeing lots of National Guard troops along the 1700 block of Columbia Road…..perhaps starting on the third day of rioting? I forget. But it made a big difference. The rioting stopped on our street with only occasional violence. The battery was stolen from our Ford wagon and the Safeway was destroyed.

7. I lived at 1650 Columbia Road (above the Pan American Barber Shop owned by my father). Our block suffered minor damages, broken windows at the adjacent Embassy Drug Store (a Rexall franchise). I always remember the first day of the riots. Our HS (St. John’s) let out early. Later in the evening we saw people going to and back from 14th Street (carrying looted items) and saw the smoke bellowing over the skyline. All those stores burnt between Park Road and Columbia Road. My favorite theatre, the Savoy, no longer. Also remember the troops. A squad had been assigned to our area and setup their temp command in front of the barber shop. Troops would patrol on foot and jeep. My mom would give them coffee and sandwiches.

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