On this date in 1966, the city of Chicago experienced a race riot that was part of a larger wave of unrest in American cities during the 1960s. The riot was triggered by a combination of racial tensions, economic inequality, and the demands of the civil rights movement. It took place in the predominantly Black neighborhood of the West Side, especially around the 16th Street area.

The unrest began after a peaceful march led by Martin Luther King Jr. was met with opposition and violence. King had come to Chicago to draw attention to housing discrimination, poor living conditions, and systemic racism in the city’s housing market. The march was intended to protest the segregated housing practices in Chicago, but it was met with hostility by some white residents who were resistant to the idea of integration. This hostility quickly escalated into a riot.

The violence included clashes between the police and protesters, looting, and property damage. The riot lasted for several days, and the National Guard was eventually called in to help restore order. The event marked a significant moment in the civil rights struggle, highlighting the deep racial divides in northern cities and the growing frustration within the Black community over both de jure (legal) and de facto (social) segregation.

The 1966 race riot in Chicago was one of many incidents across the country during that time, reflecting broader national issues of civil rights, poverty, and inequality.