Dead Rabbits riot
The Dead Rabbits riot was a two-day civil disturbance in New York City evolving from what was originally a small-scale brawl between members of the Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys into a citywide gang war, which occurred July 4–5, 1857. Taking advantage of the disorganized state of the city's police force—brought about by the conflict between the Municipal and Metropolitan police—the fighting spiraled into widespread looting and damage of property by gangsters and other criminals from all parts of the city.