189 years ago today, a food riot breaks out in New York City, at the incitement of speakers at a rally in City Hall Park. The crowd is seeking remedy for inflationary prices and a major food shortage. Andrew Jackson's attempts to radically reshape American monetary policy have led to widespread bank failures. Wheat yields being down for two years has sent food prices soaring, with the cost of everything else, including rent, following close behind. A mob breaks into downtown warehouses to find stockpiles of wheat flour being withheld from market by speculators. 40 people are arrested. NYC grows the size of its police force by nearly 200 officers the next day.

In a few months, the entire country will experience its first major economic meltdown, the Panic of 1837.