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The Baltimore Riot of 1968: What Caused the Unrest after the Death of Martin Luther King Jr.?

Civilians and National Guard troops standing on the street of Harford Rd. and Lafayette Ave.
After the death of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, Baltimore erupted in rioting that went on for days. Read more to learn what caused the unrest and the response from the government.
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The Baltimore Riot of 1968 was primarily caused by the death of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. The riot in Baltimore didn’t start until two days after King’s death.

Civilians and National Guard troops standing on the street of Harford Rd. and Lafayette Ave.
Civilians and National Guard troops standing on the street of Harford Rd. and Lafayette Ave.

The riots got so out of hand that Governor Spiro Agnew had to call in the National Guard and Maryland State Police. When these measured fail to halt the riots Agnew had to request Federal troops from President Lyndon Johnson.

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Here’s a picture of a woman standing in the middle of Eager St. and Broadway.
Here’s a picture of a woman standing in the middle of Eager St. and Broadway.

Source: Baltimore Police History

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