1967 was a year of intense civil unrest in the United States, marked by numerous racial uprisings and protests against racial injustice, economic inequality, and police brutality.

November 7, 1967 – Senate Report on Increasing Riots

On this day, the Senate Permanent Investigations Subcommittee released a report highlighting the alarming rise in major riots across the country. According to the report:

• 75 major riots occurred in 1967, compared to 21 in 1966.
• 83 people were killed in 1967 riots, compared to 11 in 1966 and 36 in 1965.

Context of 1967 Riots

The summer of 1967, often referred to as the “Long, Hot Summer,” saw over 150 race-related disturbances in American cities. The most significant uprisings included:

• Detroit Riot (July 23-28, 1967) – One of the deadliest in U.S. history, resulting in 43 deaths and over 7,200 arrests.
• Newark Riot (July 12-17, 1967) – Sparked by police brutality, leading to 26 deaths and widespread destruction.
• Other cities affected included Milwaukee, Washington, D.C., and Cambridge, MD.

Aftermath

The increasing unrest prompted President Lyndon B. Johnson to establish the Kerner Commission in 1968 to investigate the causes of the riots. The commission’s report famously concluded:
“Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—separate and unequal.”

The riots of 1967 remain a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, influencing future policies on urban development, policing, and racial equality.