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Washington, D.C. riots of 1968 were six days of riots that erupted in Washington, D.C., following the assassination of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968.

1. ‘Curfew After MLK Riots’

'Curfew After MLK Riots' Source:Getty

View, from behind, of an armed soldier, in a camouflage helmet, as he enforces a nighttime curfew outside the US Capitol after riots in the wake Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, Washington DC, April 8, 1968. (Photo by U S News & World Report Collection/Warren K Leffler/PhotoQuest/Getty Images) vertical,photography,people,usa,waist up,males,helmet,north america,night,politics,washington dc,archival,human interest,army soldier,military,conflict,weapon,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,politics and government,riot,black history in the us,curfew,assassination,capitol building – washington dc

2. The Washington Post

The Washington Post Source:Getty

11th & H, NE SLUG: MLK/RIOTS INPUT DATE: 3/20/2008 PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW LEWIS. LOCATION: Washington DC. CAPTION: Calvarymen form a human wedge to sweep along between 10th & 11th street on H street. N.E. April 1968 riots in DC after Martin Luther King was killed. StaffPhoto imported to Merlin on Thu Apr 3 20:08:02 2008 horizontal,usa,washington dc,human interest,photographer,conflict,martin luther king jr. day,amplifier,riot,input device

3. SLUG: MLK/RIOTS INPUT DATE: 3/20/2008 PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW L

SLUG: MLK/RIOTS INPUT DATE: 3/20/2008 PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW L Source:Getty

SLUG: MLK/RIOTS INPUT DATE: 3/20/2008 PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW LEWIS. LOCATION: Washington DC SUMMARY: April 1968 riots In DC after Martin Luther King was killed. CAPTION: horizontal,usa,washington dc,human interest,photographer,conflict,martin luther king jr. day,riot,input device

4. Riots After MLK Assassination

Riots After MLK Assassination Source:Getty

View of American soldiers deployed in front of US Capitol in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, Washington DC, April 8, 1968. (Photo by Warren K Leffler/PhotoQuest/Getty Images) vertical,photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,usa,city,north america,politics,washington dc,archival,human interest,army soldier,military,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,photograph,politics and government,black history in the us,assassination,capitol building – washington dc

5. Front page of The Washington Post, April 6, 1968 during the rio

Front page of The Washington Post, April 6, 1968 during the rio Source:Getty

Front page of The Washington Post via Getty Images, April 6, 1968 during the riots following Dr. MLK’s assassination. vertical,photography,usa,washington dc,human interest,following,conflict,violence,the washington post,getty images,front page,riot,assassination

6. Front page of The Washington Post, April 5, 1968 during the rio

Front page of The Washington Post, April 5, 1968 during the rio Source:Getty

Front page of The Washington Post via Getty Images, April 5, 1968 during the riots following Dr. MLK’s assassination. vertical,photography,usa,washington dc,human interest,following,conflict,violence,the washington post,getty images,front page,riot,assassination

7. SLUG: MLK/RIOTS INPUT DATE: 3/20/2008 PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW L

SLUG: MLK/RIOTS INPUT DATE: 3/20/2008 PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW L Source:Getty

SLUG: MLK/RIOTS INPUT DATE: 3/20/2008 PHOTOGRAPHER: MATTHEW LEWIS. LOCATION: Washington DC SUMMARY: April 1968 riots In DC after Martin Luther King was killed. CAPTION: photography,horizontal,usa,washington dc,human interest,photographer,conflict,riot,input device

8. Race Riots In Washington D.C.

Race Riots In Washington D.C. Source:Getty

A federal trooper stands on watch and holds a rifle on a street during riots which took place after the assasination of Martin Luther King Jr, Washington D.C., April 6, 1968. (Photo by Pictorial Parade/Getty Images) vertical,photography,people,one person,usa,adult,adults only,waist up,law,males,one man only,city,street,politics,washington dc,standing,black and white,archival,protection,incidental people,social issues,minority groups,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,racism,1960-1969,rifle,riot,black civil rights,black history in the us,assassination,trooper,federal building,human rights

9. Riot Aftermath

Riot Aftermath Source:Getty

April 1968: A Black man crosses a street past soldiers and a bombed building during the race riots that followed Martin Luther King’s assassination, Washington, DC. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) horizontal,usa,males,the past,men,north america,destruction,street,politics,washington dc,black and white,archival,american culture,following,army,army soldier,military,conflict,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,riot,bombing,black civil rights,black history in the us,assassination,human rights

10. Riot in DC

Riot in DC Source:Getty

UNITED STATES – CIRCA 1968: soldier standing guard in a Washington, D.C., street with the ruins of buildings that were destroyed during the riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Photo by Buyenlarge/Getty Images) people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,law,african ethnicity,city,destruction,street,built structure,washington dc,standing,black and white,archival,american culture,human interest,following,army soldier,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,sepia toned,riot,black history in the us,assassination

11. Aftermath Of The 1968 Riots

Aftermath Of The 1968 Riots Source:Getty

Firefighters spray water on shops, including Beyda’s, Miles Shoes, and Graysons, that were burned during the riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington, DC, April 1968. (Photo by Buyenlarge/Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,water,transportation,washington dc,black and white,archival,store,following,social issues,conflict,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,fire – natural phenomenon,spray,firefighter,fire engine,riot,black civil rights,black history in the us,assassination,human rights,accidents and disasters

12. Soldier standing guard in a Washington, D.C., street with the ruins of buildings that were destroyed during the riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., 8 April 1968. Photographer: Warren K Leffler.

Soldier standing guard in a Washington, D.C., street with the ruins of buildings that were destroyed during the riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., 8 April 1968. Photographer: Warren K Leffler. Source:Getty

Soldier standing guard in a Washington, D.C., street with the ruins of buildings that were destroyed during the riots that followed the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., 8 April 1968. Photographer: Warren K Leffler. (Photo by Universal History Archive/Getty Images) horizontal,street,built structure,washington dc,standing,black and white,archival,human interest,following,army soldier,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,riot,black history in the us,assassination

13. Washington DC Race Riots

Washington DC Race Riots Source:Getty

Northeast DC is on fire during riots following the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Washington DC, April 5, 1968. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images) vertical,usa,leadership,north america,washington dc,black and white,archival,following,social issues,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,photograph,riot,black civil rights,black history in the us,assassination,human rights

14. US-RACE RIOTS-WASHINGTON

US-RACE RIOTS-WASHINGTON Source:Getty

Buildings burn in 7th street in Washington, DC on April 08, 1968 during the riots that erupted in Washington and several american cities after the death of Reverend Martin Luther King. (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images) horizontal,usa,city,death,damaged,street,built structure,washington dc,black and white,archival,city street,city life,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,smoke – physical structure,1960-1969,burning,firefighter,riot,racial tensions,black history in the us

15. US-RACE RIOTS-WASHINGTON

US-RACE RIOTS-WASHINGTON Source:Getty

National guard troops stand guard outside the White House in a Washington DC on April 05, 1968 after US President Lyndon B Johnson called out troops to keep order in the Capitol city, as riots and looting broke out after the death of Reverend Martin Luther King. (Photo credit should read ARNOLD SACHS/AFP/Getty Images) vertical,usa,city,death,us president,washington dc,black and white,security,archival,army,army soldier,white house – washington dc,conflict,weapon,martin luther king jr.,armed forces,1960-1969,capitol hill,guarding,riot,racial tensions,lyndon johnson,black history in the us,looting

16. US-RACE RIOTS-WASHINGTON

US-RACE RIOTS-WASHINGTON Source:Getty

National guard troops patrol outside the Capitol in Washington DC on April 05, 1968 after US President Lyndon B Johnson called out troops to keep order in the Capitol city, as riots and looting broke out after the death of Reverend Martin Luther King. / AFP PHOTO / AFP FILES / – (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,city,death,us president,washington dc,black and white,security,archival,army,army soldier,conflict,martin luther king jr.,armed forces,1960-1969,capitol hill,riot,racial tensions,lyndon johnson,black history in the us,looting

17. Troops Patrol Washington, DC After Assassination of Martin Luther King

Troops Patrol Washington, DC After Assassination of Martin Luther King Source:Getty

(Original Caption) 4/6/1968-Washington, DC: Flames pour from a building in the background as troops in a Jeep patrol Seventh Street April 6 as looting and arson continues in the nation’s capital. Five persons have been killed here since violence erupted after the slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photograph by UPI staff photographer Darryl Heikes photography,people,horizontal,adult,mid adult,caucasian ethnicity,four people,men,30-39 years,mid adult men,washington dc,pouring,archival,social issues,army,army soldier,us military,conflict,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,chaos,flame,arson,burning,rifle,4×4,politics and government,riot,black civil rights,black history in the us,looting,human rights,accidents and disasters

18. Washington, DC, After Riot

Washington, DC, After Riot Source:Getty

The aftermath of riots in Washington, DC after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. photography,people,horizontal,adult,african-american ethnicity,mid adult,men,mid adult women,group of people,city,30-39 years,mid adult men,damaged,washington dc,archival,social issues,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,chaos,riot,black history in the us,assassination,accidents and disasters

19. Downtown Washington After the Martin Luther King Riots

Downtown Washington After the Martin Luther King Riots Source:Getty

Three soldiers stand amid the rubble of a burned building in Washington, D.C. Riots and looting occurred in many U.S. cities after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. photography,people,horizontal,usa,adult,african-american ethnicity,mid adult,leadership,caucasian ethnicity,men,three people,city,30-39 years,mid adult men,washington dc,standing,archival,city life,social issues,army soldier,rubble,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,burnt,riot,black history in the us,looting,assassination,accidents and disasters

20. Soldiers in DC Sleep in Laundromat

Soldiers in DC Sleep in Laundromat Source:Getty

(Original Caption) Washington, DC: Fatigued troops in violence-torn Washington tiredly sack out on the floor of a laundromat here. Several of the soldiers had to find sleeping space on top of the washing machines. More than 12,000 troops were called out to protect the nation’s capital since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. 4/8/1968 photography,people,horizontal,exhaustion,leadership,politics,washington dc,large group of people,archival,army,army soldier,sleeping,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,politics and government,riot,black history in the us,assassination,laundromat

21. 82nd Airborne Patrolling Washington, DC

82nd Airborne Patrolling Washington, DC Source:Getty

More than 2,000 paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division were flown into Washington April 6 to augment the Federal and National Guard units already on duty in riot-torn sections of the Capitol. The riots were a reaction to the assassination of Martin Luther King. While firemen in the background fight one of the many fires set by arsonists, Army troops are deployed to take up positions in the area. photography,people,horizontal,adult,water,mid adult,responsibility,caucasian ethnicity,men,group of people,30-39 years,mid adult men,government,washington dc,archival,social issues,army,army soldier,conflict,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,air force,us air force,firefighter,politics and government,riot,national guard,black history in the us,accidents and disasters,82nd airborne division,paratrooper

22. Soldiers Guarding Capitol Building

Soldiers Guarding Capitol Building Source:Getty

US Army troops guard the Capitol after riots broke out in Washington, DC, following the assassination of Martin Luther King. photography,people,horizontal,adult,african-american ethnicity,mid adult,men,three people,30-39 years,mid adult men,government,washington dc,archival,following,social issues,army,army soldier,us military,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,rifle,politics and government,riot,black history in the us,assassination,capitol building – washington dc

23. Robert Kennedy Touring Washington Neighborhood

Robert Kennedy Touring Washington Neighborhood Source:Getty

Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy strolls with African American residents of a neighborhood in Washington, DC after riots sparked by the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. people,horizontal,adult,african-american ethnicity,caucasian ethnicity,men,women,city,politics,government,washington dc,archival,store,walking,crowd,social issues,residential district,united states senate,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,democratic party – usa,road intersection,presidential candidate,politics and government,riot,senator,black history in the us,assassination

24. Robert Kennedy Touring Washington District After Fires

Robert Kennedy Touring Washington District After Fires Source:Getty

Senator Robert F. Kennedy, accompanied by his wife, Ethel, tours northwest Washington, which was devastated by fires in the wake of Martin Luther King’s assassination. The tour followed a memorial service for King. photography,people,horizontal,adult,african-american ethnicity,caucasian ethnicity,mature adult,men,women,politics,government,washington dc,large group of people,archival,wife,social issues,united states senate,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,politics and government,riot,senator,black history in the us,assassination,ethel kennedy,robert kennedy – attorney general

25. Robert Kennedy and Wife Ethel Touring Fire-Damaged Area of Washington

Robert Kennedy and Wife Ethel Touring Fire-Damaged Area of Washington Source:Getty

Senator Robert F. Kennedy, his wife, Ethel, and Reverend Walter E. Fauntroy, a member of the Washington City Council and one of Martin Luther King’s closest aides, tour northwest Washington, which was devastated by fires in the wake of King’s assassination. The tour followed a memorial service for King. photography,people,horizontal,adult,african-american ethnicity,caucasian ethnicity,mature adult,men,women,civilian,city,politics,government,washington dc,large group of people,archival,wife,social issues,united states senate,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,organized group,1960-1969,husband,house of representatives,politics and government,riot,senator,black history in the us,assassination,ethel kennedy

26. Robert F. Kennedy Touring Riot Damage

Robert F. Kennedy Touring Riot Damage Source:Getty

After memorial services for slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., Senator Robert Kennedy tours an area of Washington, D.C. devastated by riots reacting to the assassination. vertical,photography,people,adult,mid adult,leadership,caucasian ethnicity,men,30-39 years,medium group of people,mid adult men,destruction,government,geographical locations,washington dc,archival,social issues,conflict,violence,supermarket,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,murder,memorial event,politics and government,riot,senator,black civil rights,black history in the us,assassination,human rights

27. Robert F. Kennedy Visits Riot Scene in Washington DC

Robert F. Kennedy Visits Riot Scene in Washington DC Source:Getty

Robert F. Kennedy Visits Riot Scene in Washington after assassination of Dr.Martin Luther King. photography,people,horizontal,medium group of people,politics,washington dc,archival,visit,social issues,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,protest,1960-1969,politics and government,riot,senator,black history in the us,assassination,accidents and disasters,ethel kennedy

28. President Richard Nixon, George Romney and Walter Washington tour Neighborhood

President Richard Nixon, George Romney and Walter Washington tour Neighborhood Source:Getty

President Richard Nixon speaks with HUD Secretary George Romney and Washington, DC Mayor Walter Washington during a tour of the site of neighborhood riots after the death of Martin Luther King. (Photo by © Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) photography,people,horizontal,adult,smiling,talking,african-american ethnicity,caucasian ethnicity,mature adult,men,women,city,death,politics,government,us president,washington dc,archival,president,residential district,rubble,conflict,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,mayor,politics and government,small group of people,riot,black history in the us,richard nixon,george w. romney – politician

29. Riot-Damaged Store

Riot-Damaged Store Source:Getty

View from the inside of a store destroyed during the riots following Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, Washington DC, April 16, 1968. (Photo by Warren K Leffler/PhotoQuest/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,city,north america,washington dc,archival,store,human interest,following,ruined,conflict,violence,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,photograph,riot,black history in the us,assassination

30. Aftermath of Washington Riots

Aftermath of Washington Riots Source:Getty

Damage to buildings in Washington which was caused by the riots following the murder of the civil rights activist Martin Luther King. (Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) photography,people,horizontal,adult,outdoors,mid adult,caucasian ethnicity,men,two people,30-39 years,mid adult men,damaged,built structure,washington dc,activist,archival,sidewalk,following,social issues,army,army soldier,us military,rubble,conflict,violence,supermarket,martin luther king jr.,1960-1969,murder,politics and government,riot,black civil rights,black history in the us,human rights,accidents and disasters