The Harlem Riot of 1964 was a significant event in Black history that took place in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. The riot erupted on July 16, 1964, following the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old Black teenager named James Powell by a white off-duty police officer, Lieutenant Thomas Gilligan. The shooting occurred after an altercation between Powell and Gilligan, resulting in Powell being shot in the back and killed.

The incident sparked outrage and frustration among the Black community in Harlem, who had long been subjected to police brutality and racial discrimination. The unrest quickly escalated into a full-blown riot, with widespread looting, vandalism, and clashes between the police and protesters.

The Harlem Riot of 1964 lasted for six days and resulted in hundreds of arrests, injuries, and significant property damage. The riot highlighted the deep-seated racial tensions and inequalities that existed in urban cities like Harlem and served as a catalyst for the civil rights movement.

In the aftermath of the riot, community leaders and activists called for greater police accountability and reforms to address systemic racism and economic disparities in Black communities. The Harlem Riot of 1964 was a pivotal moment in Black history that underscored the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality in America.