August 1, 1842
The Lombard Street riot erupted in Philadelphia. In the morning,1,000 members of the black Young Men’s Vigilant Association held a parade in commemoration of the eighth anniversary of the end of slavery in Jamaica. As the paraders neared Mother Bethel Church, they were attacked by an Irish Catholic mob, resentful of having to compete with African-Americans for jobs. The rioters moved west, setting fires and attacking fire fighters and police as they went. Requests to the mayor and police for protection initially led to the arrest of several of the victims and none of the rioters.
