City Cast DC logo
April 4, 2023

What D.C. Learned From the 1968 Uprisings

City Cast DC

What D.C. Learned From the 1968 Uprisings

00:00:00
View all City Cast DC episodes

More than 900 D.C. businesses were damaged, and nearly 700 homes destroyed during the unrest in April 1968 after Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. But what’s even more striking is to hear about that part of D.C.’s history through the words of its residents: how they processed the grief and anger for a fallen icon. Vann Newkirk, the host of the Atlantic’s podcast Holy Week, spoke to several Washingtonians who were there, and he relays those stories to us today, in part one of our 1968 series.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow, for our conversation with Virginia Ali, the founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl.


Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. We’re also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc (TRY TO CHANGE IT UP EVERY TIME)


And we’d love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey DC

Get smart about D.C. with our news roundup and analysis.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
August 27

Breaking Down The Flock Surveillance Camera Controversy

Police say license plate reader cameras like Flock are an important tool for solving crimes. But a new Washington Post investigation foun...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 26

Robert White's Fight to Defend D.C.

A new organization plans to fight for D.C.’s rights — by going into Congressional districts to unseat Republicans. Defend D.C. was announ...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 25

How Is D.C. The Nation’s Leader In Pre-K?

D.C. Public Schools is the national leader — by a lot — in at least one category: enrollment in pre-kindergarten programs. Almost every D...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 24

Trayon White's Corruption Trial Is Going to Be a Doozy

In a few weeks, D.C.'s Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White will stand trial for allegations of corruption. This is embarrassing for any cit...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 23

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Portland Made Its River Cool — Presented By City Cast DC

How often are you out in nature in DC? It’s not always easy to know which natural resources are clean and safe to use in an urban setting...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 21

D.C. Goes Back To School, MPD Overtime Fraud, And The NSO Hits the Road

D.C. public schools open on Monday — we'll get into the politics of it all. Plus, six DC police employees have been charged for $440K in...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 20

Pirro Doubles Down On Vandalism To Keep An Angry Trump At Bay

Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for D.C., really wants to throw the book at the woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial. Ac...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 19

Breaking Down D.C.'s Upcoming Grand Prix

We’re a few days out from the IndyCar race that will be taking over the National Mall this weekend. And while D.C. types are mostly talki...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 18

Is It Time To Close The Kennedy Center?

Last week, the Kennedy Center’s board voted to uphold its previous decision to close for two years of renovations, while also approving a...

City Cast DC podcast episode art
August 17

Trump's Plans for an East Potomac Golf Course Are Sinking — Literally

President Donald Trump wants to renovate the East Potomac Park golf course, but there’s one big problem: the park — and the island i...

City Cast DC podcast episode art