life: Forty-five years ago today, the city of Detroit erupted in one of the deadliest and costliest riots in the history of the United States. Reportedly sparked by a police raid on an unlicensed bar on July 23, the conflagration lasted four terrifying days and nights, left scores dead and hundreds injured, thousands arrested, untold numbers of businesses looted, hundreds of buildings utterly destroyed and Detroit’s reputation in tatters. Throughout it all, LIFE’s Lee Balterman was there, recording the terrible scene. See the photos chronicling the 12th street riot here on LIFE.com.
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life:

Forty-five years ago today, the city of Detroit erupted in one of the deadliest and costliest riots in the history of the United States. Reportedly sparked by a police raid on an unlicensed bar on July 23, the conflagration lasted four terrifying days and nights, left scores dead and hundreds injured, thousands arrested, untold numbers of businesses looted, hundreds of buildings utterly destroyed and Detroit’s reputation in tatters.

Throughout it all, LIFE’s Lee Balterman was there, recording the terrible scene.

See the photos chronicling the 12th street riot here on LIFE.com.

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