Crime History: Stonewall riots spark gay rights movement

Published June 27, 2012 4:00am ET



On this day, June 28, in 1969, the Stonewall Riots began in New York City, considered the inspiration of the gay rights movement.

The Stonewall Inn was a gay bar in Greenwich Village. Police raided the place, claiming it was selling alcohol without a license and being used by its Mafia-backed owner to blackmail gay patrons who worked on Wall Street.

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