Leicester Balloon Riot

Date: July 11, 1864 • Location: London, United Kingdom

A riot broke out in Leicester, England, at the failed launching of a gas balloon (pictured).

A riot occurred on 11 July 1864 in Victoria Park, Leicester, during a public demonstration of a new hydrogen balloon by the aeronaut Henry Tracey Coxwell. An estimated 50,000 spectators were present for the event.