As American as Apple Pie
Baltimore may not be the first American City but where rioting is concerned they have to be close.
When talking of riots and Baltimore, one must be specific.
1861?
1861
A.K.A. the “Pratt Street Massacre” when southbound Union troops were waylaid by traitorous “secesh” trash as their rail cars were pulled along Pratt Street.
It was another April riot and 16 were killed.
Or 1877, Perhaps?
1877
Labor types know this one as it started in my hometown of Martinsburg, West Virginia at the railyards there.
Today we call it the “Great Railroad Strike” as it spread from east to west and lasted for 45 days.
In the Baltimore episode citizens attacked the hapless militia and trapped them (again) in Camden Yards until the Marines showed up to restore order.
Ten killed, 25 injured.
Maybe 1968?
Another April fling.
Balto burned along with the rest of America in the spring of ’68 after Dr. King was murdered.
Maryland’s notorious governor Spiro Agnew called in the Federal troops and complained about the Black community not doing enough to stop the unrest.
Agnew
His comments came to the attention of then president Richard Nixon and the tax-evading Agnew found himself VP.
Six killed, hundreds injured.
1856: My Favorite
It’s your basic “Know-Nothing” political riot but with a delightful twist: firefighters at the heart of it.
Know Nothing gangs were firehouse based.
How’s that for early political action?
On election day they brawled in the streets where the New Market Fire Company (Lexington Market) was at the center of the action battling democrats.
The famous “Plug Uglies” originally associated with the Biddle Street Mount Vernon Hook-and-Ladder Company fought the democrats in the eighth ward, then known as Limerick for the high percentage of Irish living there.
Five killed but “we” won by 9,000 at the ballot box.
2015 has not a thing on us, Hon.