Broad Street Riot erupts in Boston

Background. Boston's population grew rapidly in the 1820s, and its ethnic composition changed dramatically with the first wave of European immigrants, among whom Irish immigrants were prominent. On Broad Street, it was common for nativist Yankees to vandalize Irish homes and attack lone Irishmen. In 1832, Mayor Charles Wells received a petition to suppress dangerous riots and tumultuous assemblies in and about Broad Street, highlighting the area's volatile reputation prior to the 1837 incident.

Incident. At about 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, 1837, Fire Engine Company 20 returned from a fire at the Boston Neck to their station on East Street. Nearly all firefighters passed through the crowd without incident until 19-year-old George Fay, reportedly intoxicated, insulted or shoved several Irishmen. This action triggered a fight that escalated into a massive brawl involving an estimated 800 people.

Aftermath. The riot involved an estimated 800 people in actual fighting, with at least 10,000 spectators egging them on. The event was depicted in a cartoon by David Claypoole Johnston titled "The Experiment," which illustrated Boston's firefighters in 1837. The brawl highlighted the severe ethnic tensions between Irish immigrants and Yankee firefighters in Boston.