Fact check: How long were the 1992 LA riots?

1. Summary of the results

The 1992 LA riots lasted approximately 6 days, beginning on April 29, 1992, following the acquittal of four police officers in the Rodney King beating case ^{[1] [2]}. The most intense period of violence occurred during the first two days ^[1], with major rioting being contained by early morning of May 1st ^[2]. The riots officially ended around May 4th when schools and businesses reopened and the citywide curfew was lifted ^{[3] [2]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

While the main period of unrest lasted 6 days, there are different perspectives on when the riots truly "ended":

• The immediate violence and rioting ended around May 3-4 when the curfew was lifted ^[3]
• Federal troops remained on duty until May 9th ^[4]
• Some National Guard soldiers stayed in the area until as late as May 27th ^[4]

The original question's focus on duration overlooks several crucial aspects:

• A citywide curfew was implemented on April 30th ^[3]
• The riots resulted in significant damage, deaths, and arrests ^[5]
• Thousands of people participated in the unrest ^[4]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question of duration is oversimplified, as it suggests a clear start and end point. In reality, while the intense rioting had a definitive start date (April 29), the aftermath and military presence extended well beyond the commonly cited 6-day period ^[4]. Different stakeholders might define the duration differently:

• Law enforcement might consider the riots "over" when major violence ceased (May 1)
• City officials might use the curfew lifting (May 4) as the end date
• Military authorities might point to the final withdrawal of troops (May 27) as the true conclusion

This demonstrates how the perception of the riots' duration can vary based on which metrics and authorities are considered.