On July 19, 1966, Governor James A. Rhodes of Ohio declared a State of Emergency due to severe civil unrest in the city of Cleveland. This declaration came in the wake of violent racial riots that had broken out in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland, which was primarily African American. The disturbances, driven by frustration over racial inequalities, poverty, and police brutality, resulted in significant property damage and confrontations with law enforcement.
Governor Rhodes’ response included calling in the Ohio National Guard to restore order. The Cleveland riots were part of a larger pattern of racial unrest in American cities during the 1960s, a period marked by widespread protests and tensions over civil rights issues.
© 2025 KnowThyHistory.com. Know Thy History
