Bogotazo: The Worst Riot in the History of Colombia

April 9, 1948. Liberal Party politician Jorge Eliécer Gaitán is gunned down outside his office in Bogotá. The poor and working classes of the city, enraged at the loss of the man they thought would be the next president, take to the streets. This is the Bogotazo, the worst riot in the history of Colombia, and by the time it was over, thousands would be dead and hundreds of homes, businesses, government buildings and schools would be in ashes. This month marks the 60th anniversary of this dreadful day.