Apr 29: Rodney King verdict sparks Los Angeles riots

On this day in history, April 29, 1992, riots broke out in south central Los Angeles, California after a jury acquitted three white and one hispanic police officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King following a high-speed pursuit. Thousands of people in the Los Angeles area rioted, 53 people died and damages reached nearly $1 billion over the six days following the verdict.