22. The Watts Riots (1965)
The Watts Riots erupted in Los Angeles after a confrontation between police and Black residents sparked six days of unrest. Fueled by deep-seated racial tensions, poverty, and frustration over systemic injustice, the uprising resulted in widespread destruction and dozens of deaths. The Watts Riots drew national attention to the challenges faced by urban Black communities and influenced new approaches to urban policy and civil rights.
