Rioting has always been a way for people all over the world to show just how angry they really are. Whether is is political unrest or elation over a sports franchise winning it all, you’ll always find a group of like-minded people coming together as one to flip over a car. Here are some examples of famous American modern riots.

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Watts Riots (1965)

Human Toll: 34 Dead 1,032 Injured
Watts Neighborhood, Los Angeles California

When Marquette Frye was arrested for driving under the influence on August 11th, 1965, his mother showed up to the scene of the crime to scold him. After she was shoved and officers had to physically subdue Frye, mobs were formed and the city was turned upside down for six days. The city resembled a war zone as fights broke out and buildings were burnt to the ground.  Watch the 1965 News Reel “Troops Patrol LA” on YouTube.

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Chicago Riots (1968)

Human Toll: 11 Dead 138 Injured
Chicago, Illinois

Following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., citizens congregated to the west side of Chicago to vent their anger with some good ol’ fashioned arson, looting and killing. The mayor had to ban the sale of guns and flammable materials until thousands of police and soldiers were brought in to hand out wood shampoo’s to anyone asking for one.  Watch the Chicago Rioters vs Police on YouTube.

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Altamont (1969)

Human Toll: 4 dead, dozens injured, 4 births
Northern California

Three-hundred thousand people showed up to Altamont Speedway in 1969 for a free concert featuring the likes of Jefferson Airplane, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and The Rolling Stones. Someone had the bright idea to hire the Hells Angels biker gang as security which was the worst idea since women joining the workforce. All hell broke loose after 18 year-old Meredith Hunter, beaked out his mind on drugs, charged the stage with a revolver where he was stabbed and killed. Hells Angel, Alan Passaro was charged with murder but acquitted when a jury said he acted in self-defense.  Watch the video of the event on YouTube.

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L.A. Riots (1992)

Human Toll: 53 Dead 2,000 Injured
Los Angeles, California

After Rodney King, a black man, was videotaped assaulting four white officers, the cops were put trial. The four officers were acquitted, enraging certain members of the public which caused riots and the costliest episode of civil unrest in U.S. history. Mass amounts of arson, looting, murder and assault took place with stores owned by whites and Asian immigrants targeted for violence. The six day riot was ended with after the national guard was called in but not before $1 billion in damages were caused.  Watch news coverage of the South Central Los Angeles Riots on YouTube.

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Disco Demolition Night (1979)

Human Toll: 30 injured
Chicago Illinois

There comes a point where a promotional stunt goes so good that it does a complete 180 and becomes a disaster. At the peak of the disco era, radio D.J. Steve Dahl and baseball promoter Bill Veeck held ‘Disco Sucks’ night in between a double header between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. Fans were invited to bring their disco records which would be destroyed in an explosion in between games. 30,000 more people showed up than were expected and the field was mobbed with riled up fans. Geez, was ‘I Love The Nightlife’ really that bad?  Watch the Live Broadcast of Steve Dahl’s Disco Demolition on YouTube.

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New York City (1977)

Human Toll: 550 police officers injured
New York City

New York City in the 70’s was like the movie ‘Escape From New York’, only scarier. Make it pitch black and watch civilized society crumble before your eyes. As it turns out, streetlights are the only thing keeping people from stealing a television and taking off down the street. When the sun rose and the dust cleared, 1,600 stores were damaged, 1,000 fires were set and a record 3,776 arrests were made. The light! Go towards the light Carol Anne!  Watch news footage from the blackout on YouTube.

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Oklahoma State Penitentiary (1973)

Human Toll: 3 inmates dead, 21 guards injured
McAlester, Oklahoma

The year was 1973 and trouble was a-brewin’ in the Oklahoma State Pen. After opening in 1911 with room for 1,100 inmates, that number had ballooned to almost double by the time the 70’s rolled around. Couple that with a depleted staff of officers and you have a fun time for everyone involved! Things spiraled out of control quickly for the prisoners as they turned on each other immediately after taking two guards hostage in the mess hall. Fires were started and officers weren’t able to take control of the facility for a week but not before $20 million in damages were done. It makes you wonder: Whose really in prison? The inmates or the guards? Run that over the ol’ noggin. Watch CNN Coverage on YouTube.

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Watts Riots

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Chicago Riots

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Altamont

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Los Angeles Riots

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Disco Demolition Night

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New York City