18th-century London force. Penalties for crime were harsh, with the death penalty being applied for fairly minor crimes. Public hangings were common in London, and were popular public events. In 1780, London was rocked by the Gordon Riots, an uprising by Protestants against Roman Catholic emancipation led by Lord George Gordon. Severe damage was caused to Catholic churches and homes, and 285 rioters were killed. 18th-century London The 18th century was a period of rapid growth for London, reflecting an increasing national population, the early stirrings of the Industrial Revolution, and London's role at the centre of the evolving British Empire. In
1951 anti-Chechen pogrom in Eastern Kazakhstan 1951 anti-Chechen pogrom in Eastern Kazakhstan The anti-Chechen pogrom in Eastern Kazakhstan took place in spring and summer, 1951, in Eastern Kazakhstan (part of the Soviet Union at the time), upon ethnic tensions between mainly ethnic Russians and deported Chechens. A blood libel rumor, according to which the Chechens allegedly use "Christian blood in their rituals" may also have contributed to the escalation of events. The riots occurred in 3 cities - Leninogorsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk and Zyryanovsk. The main riots took place on April 10, 1951, in the Chechen-city neighbourhood of Leninogorsk. The riots, led by groups of amnestied criminals upon