On August 4, 1968, a riot broke out in Miami, Florida, during the Republican National Convention being held in nearby Miami Beach. The unrest was part of the broader social and political turmoil of the 1960s, which included protests over the Vietnam War, civil rights issues, and dissatisfaction with the political establishment.

The riots in Miami were fueled by a combination of racial tensions, poverty, and frustration with systemic issues. Tensions had been rising in Miami, particularly after a series of incidents between the police and African American communities. The situation worsened as the National Guard was mobilized to restore order, highlighting the deep divisions in the country at the time.

The unrest was significant not only for the immediate damage and impact on Miami but also for the national political climate. The 1968 Republican National Convention, which took place just days later in Miami Beach, was already a focal point of protests and political activism, especially given the broader backdrop of unrest in Chicago surrounding the Democratic National Convention.

The Miami riots were one of many similar outbreaks of violence across the United States in the late 1960s, marking a period of intense social upheaval.