Riots

Washington has been the site of some of the most significant civil unrest in American history. The 1919 race riot erupted in the streets between the Capitol and the White House. The 1968 uprisings that followed Dr. King’s assassination devastated corridors along 14th Street, H Street NE, and 7th Street NW for decades. These posts examine the riots that shaped modern Washington.

The Burning City: The Aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr’s Assassination

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Soldiers in the streets of D.C. (7th and N St NW)

There’s a strong element of sadness watching this video. A burning city, military occupation … what essentially was complete chaos in the city from April 4th to April 8th, 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Economically it seriously devastated the corridors of 14th St NW, 7th St NW and H St NW. It has only been in the last decade that these neighborhoods have seen a significant resurgence. The damage to 14th Street NW in particular created the conditions for what became DC’s red-light district through the 1970s and 80s.

Here are a couple more photos of the riots.

Soldiers on guard in D.C.
Soldiers on guard in D.C.
Soldiers in the streets of D.C.
Soldiers in the streets of D.C. (7th and N St NW)

Also check out these riot aftermath photos on Flickr.

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