James Birney was a slave owner until his 30s, when he turns increasingly to abolitionism. He frees the people he had enslaved and moves to Cincinnati, where he publishes an abolitionist newspaper.

On this day in 1836, he attends an Independence Day celebration being held by black residents. A white mob attacks, ending the celebration.

Seven days later, a white mob breaks into the building housing Birney's press and smashes it. They plaster the city with placards calling for Birney’s arrest.

On July 23, a mob smashes Birney’s replacement press, and proceeds to attack black neighborhoods, setting houses on fire. Rioting continues for several days, meeting occasional armed resistance from black citizens and a white militia. No arrests are made. Birney continues publishing for many years.