In short
On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City's Greenwich Village. What started as a routine arrest became a multi-day uprising that sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. The riots marked a turning point: rather than accept harassment, the community fought back.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
Stonewall Uprising is a 2010 American documentary film examining the events surrounding the Stonewall riots that began during the early hours of June 28, 1969. Stonewall Uprising made its theatrical debut on June 16, 2010, at the Film Forum in New York City. The film features interviews with 15 participants and eyewitnesses to the riots, including many who were active in the uprising and later went on to form gay liberation groups, as well as law enforcement who participated in the raids that precipitated the rebellion.
As it was happening
13 voices, 365 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Police raid the Stonewall Inn
NYPD officers conduct a raid on the Stonewall Inn in the early morning hours. Rather than dispersing quietly, patrons and street youth resist, initiating a confrontation that escalates into a riot.
As it was happening
13 voices, 365 days.
Day 0 · June 28, 1969
Police raid the Stonewall Inn
NYPD officers conduct a raid on the Stonewall Inn in the early morning hours. Rather than dispersing quietly, patrons and street youth resist, initiating a confrontation that escalates into a riot.
Day 0 · June 28, 1969
Uprising spreads through Greenwich Village
Hundreds gather in the streets surrounding the bar. Protesters throw rocks, bricks, and bottles at police. Fires are set. The riot continues for approximately 6 hours before police establish control.
“We were there to enforce the law.”
- Synthesized from period NYPD statements and later interviews, Jun 28
“NYPD officers conduct a raid on the Stonewall Inn in the…”
- Police raid the Stonewall Inn, Jun 28
“Hundreds gather in the streets surrounding the bar.”
- Uprising spreads through Greenwich Village, Jun 28
Day 1 · June 29, 1969
Second night of resistance
Crowds reassemble the following evening. A larger, more organized group gathers; estimates suggest 1,000–2,000 people. Police deploy riot gear. Clashes continue through the night.
“For the first time, we weren't going to take it anymore.”
- Synthesized from oral histories and later activist accounts, Jun 29
“Crowds reassemble the following evening.”
- Second night of resistance, Jun 29
Day 2 · June 30, 1969
Third night; crowds reach peak size
An estimated 2,000+ protesters fill Christopher Street. Chants of 'Gay Power' emerge. Police barricade the Stonewall Inn with wooden boards.
“This is the first time in history that gays have ever…”
- Mattachine Society statements and interviews, July 1969, Jul 2
“The police raid on a Greenwich Village bar was routine, but…”
- Synthesized from New York Times coverage, June 29-30, 1969, Jun 30
“An estimated 2,000+ protesters fill Christopher Street.”
- Third night; crowds reach peak size, Jun 30
Day 5 · July 3, 1969
Uprising subsides
After five days of intermittent clashes, police presence remains heavy but crowds thin. The immediate uprising phase concludes, though activist organizing accelerates.
“Hundreds of young people, many in drag, fought police for…”
- Synthesized from Village Voice coverage, June 30 - July 3, 1969, Jul 3
“After five days of intermittent clashes, police presence…”
- Uprising subsides, Jul 3
Day 33 · July 31, 1969
First planning meeting for Pride March
Activists, including members of the newly formed Gay Liberation Front, meet to organize a commemorative march for the following year.
“Activists, including members of the newly formed Gay…”
- First planning meeting for Pride March, Jul 31
Day 365 · June 28, 1970
First Pride March (New York)
An estimated 5,000–10,000 march from Washington Square Park to Central Park. The march is explicitly framed as an anniversary commemoration of Stonewall and a declaration of gay pride.
Day 365 · June 28, 1970
Pride marches in Los Angeles and San Francisco
On the same day, parallel Pride marches occur in Los Angeles and San Francisco, spreading the movement nationwide.
“An estimated 5,000–10,000 march from Washington Square Park…”
- First Pride March (New York), Jun 28
“On the same day, parallel Pride marches occur in Los…”
- Pride marches in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Jun 28
Captured in time.
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Stonewall Uprising
en.wikipedia.org