On March 3, 1991, Rodney King, a Black man, speeds away from police attempting a traffic stop. A chase ensues. When he finally stops and is ordered out of his car, officers surround him and beat him severely. The incident is videotaped by a neighbor — something rare at the time. When the video is released to the public, it vindicates critics who have accused the LAPD of regularly using excessive force against non-white people.

On this day in 1992, a jury acquits four LAPD officers facing charges of having used excessive force in King’s arrest. Tens of thousands of people take to the streets of Los Angeles. Over 5 days of riots, 63 people are killed, thousands injured, thousands of businesses looted, and over 1000 buildings destroyed by fire. King sues L.A. and is awarded $3.8 million.