August 11
Watts Riots Begin
On August 11, 1965, a routine traffic stop in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles escalated into six days of civil unrest. The uprising resulted in 34 deaths, over 1,000 injuries, and $40 million in property damage. The riots highlighted systemic racial inequality and police brutality in urban America.
Alex Haley Born
Born on August 11, 1921, Alex Haley served 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard before becoming a writer. His book "Roots: The Saga of an American Family" (1976) traced his ancestry back to Africa and became a cultural phenomenon. The 1977 TV miniseries based on the book was watched by an estimated 130 million viewers.
Watts Rebellion Begins
On August 11, 1965, a routine traffic stop escalated into six days of civil unrest in the Watts neighborhood. Thirty-four people were killed and over 1,000 injured. The uprising drew national attention to the poverty and frustration in urban Black communities despite civil rights progress.
Carl Lewis Wins Four Olympic Golds
On August 11, 1984, Carl Lewis completed his quest for four gold medals at the Los Angeles Olympics, winning the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x100m relay — the same four events Jesse Owens won in 1936. Lewis went on to win nine Olympic gold medals in total.
Bud Billiken Parade First Held
On August 11, 1929, the first Bud Billiken Parade was held on the South Side of Chicago, organized by Robert Sengstacke Abbott, founder of the Chicago Defender newspaper. The parade continues annually and draws hundreds of thousands of spectators.
The Watts Riots
A series of riots in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles sparked by racial tensions.
The 1965 Watts Riots
A series of riots in Los Angeles sparked by racial tensions.
The Birth of Hip Hop
The first hip hop party is held in the Bronx, marking the genre's emergence.