On July 27, 1968, a riot erupted in Gary, Indiana, amid the racial and social tensions that marked the late 1960s in the United States. The unrest was part of a broader pattern of civil disturbances occurring in cities across the country, often fueled by issues such as racial inequality, police brutality, and economic disparity.

Gary, a city with a significant African American population, had been experiencing tensions related to civil rights and economic struggles. In 1967, Richard G. Hatcher was elected as one of the first Black mayors of a major U.S. city, a historic moment that highlighted both progress and deep-seated divisions. However, despite his election, systemic issues persisted, and frustrations within the community remained high.

The riot on July 27, 1968, reportedly involved clashes between residents and law enforcement, with incidents of looting, property damage, and confrontations with police. The National Guard may have been deployed to restore order, as was common in similar uprisings of the era.