A Special Report – 72 Hours that Rocked Chicago

Contemporary reporting on the 1968 Chicago Riots.

“From the moment on Thursday, April 4, that word spread throughout Chicago’s Negro ghetto that The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King had been shot to death in Memphis, Tenn., Chicago knew it was in deep trouble. Policemen’s days off were canceled. Prayer meetings were called. But, by Friday morning, the young people had hit the streets. They surged down West and South side streets, at first in peaceful demonstration. Then began the window smashing, the looting and burning, and Chicago’s agony became extreme.” – pg. 2.

This 10-page special report was published on August 16, 1968 by the Chicago Daily News. About ten days prior, a wave of destructive riots swept through predominantly Black sections of the city, resulting in 11 deaths, over 2,000 arrests, and nearly $10 million in property damage (1968 dollars).

Photographs and accompanying text document the carnage with a clear bias in favor of law and order, claiming “there is an eerie predictability to riots these days” A map by John Kroegel on page 9 provides some geographic clarity to the 48 hours of conflict.