Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top 10 Scandals and Disasters
1. Native Americans' Near-Extinction
In the late 1800s Native Americans were hunted down by settlers, with a bounty
paid for each scalp.
2. Gold Rush Lawlessness
Gold Rush frontier life was so criminal that vigilante justice was proclaimed in
the 1850s, leading to secret trials.
3. 1906
The earthquake and consequent fire devastated much of the city, and 250,000
people were left homeless.
4. “Bloody Thursday”
On July 5, 1934, police fired shots at striking longshoremen, leaving two dead.
5. Howl
On October 13, 1955, Allen Ginsberg read his revolutionary poem in San Fran-
cisco, which was later banned as obscene.
6. Freedom & Anti-War
Pro-Civil Rights and anti-Vietnam War riots occurred from 1964 to 1970
7. Rock Icons Die
Part of hippie legend, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix died in 1970.
8. White's Revenge
In 1978 ex-Supervisor Dan White shot dead Mayor George Moscone and gay Su-
pervisor
Harvey Milk
.
9. AIDS
The AIDS epidemic reached overwhelming proportions in the city in the 1980s.
