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Today in History: Ulaanbaatar riots spark over election fraud allegations

7/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 1 July 2008, Ulaanbaatar erupted in a riot after accusations of fraud in the 29 June parliamentary election, where the ruling MPRP claimed 45 seats and the Democratic Party 28. The unrest prompted Mongolia’s first four-day state of emergency, with troops deployed to restore order; the day is remembered as the “July 1 riots” or “Black Day.”

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Story summary

On 1 July 2008, Ulaanbaatar erupted in a riot after accusations of fraud in the 29 June parliamentary election, where the ruling MPRP claimed 45 seats and the Democratic Party 28. The unrest prompted Mongolia’s first four-day state of emergency, with troops deployed to restore order; the day is remembered as the “July 1 riots” or “Black Day.”