Baltimore riot of 1968

Quick Facts: Who was Baltimore riot of 1968?

Subject:

Baltimore riot of 1968

Known for:

A period of intense civil unrest and rioting in Baltimore, Maryland, during the spring of 1968.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Baltimore riot of 1968 was a period of civil unrest that lasted from April 6 to April 14, 1968, in Baltimore. The uprising included crowds filling the streets, burning and looting local businesses, and confronting the police and national guard. The immediate cause of the riot was the April 4 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, which triggered unrest in over 100 cities across the United States. These events are sometimes described as the Holy Week Uprising. Spiro Agnew, the Governor of Maryland, called out thousands of National Guard troops and 500 Maryland State Police to quell the disturbance.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

When it was determined that the state forces could not control the rebellion, Agnew requested Federal troops from President Lyndon B. Johnson. Between World War II and 1968, Baltimore had changed demographically. The total population remained constant, but the black percentage of the total population had grown, while other populations shrank (a shift of 200,000 people). Black communities had sub-par housing, high rates of infant mortality, and more crime. They also suffered disproportionately from the decline in Baltimore's manufacturing sector.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Black unemployment was more than double the national rate, and even higher in especially poor communities. Those who did have jobs were paid less and worked in unsafe conditions. With the spread of civil disturbances across the nation, Maryland National Guard troops were called up for state duty on April 5, 1968, in anticipation of disturbances in Baltimore or the suburban portions of Maryland bordering Washington, D.C. Black Baltimore was quiet on April 5, despite riots in nearby Washington, D.C. One white student at UMBC reported a quiet scene, with noticeable sadness, but little violence or unrest: April 5, "in many cases, was just another day". Baltimore remained peaceful into the day on April 6. Three hundred people gathered peacefully around noon for a memorial service, which lasted until 2 p.m.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1968: 1968 Milestone — The Baltimore riot of 1968 was a period of civil unrest that lasted from April 6 to April 14, 1968, in Baltimore.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Baltimore riot of 1968

True or False: “The primary catalyst for the Baltimore riot was a local labor dispute concerning wages in the city's manufacturing sector.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The immediate trigger for the unrest was the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee, which sparked nationwide civil disturbances.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abrar-ul-Haq — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Esteemed Pakistani singer, philanthropist, and former politician from Punjab.
• Adam McKay — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Acclaimed American filmmaker known for satirical comedies and high-profile adaptations.
• Bam Margera — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering American skateboarder, stunt performer, and filmmaker known for 'Jackass' era.
• BamBam — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Thai rapper and singer, known for his work with Got7 and solo career.
• Bambatha Rebellion — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A 1906 Zulu uprising against colonial rule in Natal, sparked by unpopular taxation.
• Ban Chao — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Eastern Han general, diplomat, and explorer who controlled the Western Regions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Baltimore riot of 1968