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Today in History: Leicester Riot Erupts After Gas Balloon Failure

7/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 11 July 1864, about 50,000 people assembled in Leicester’s Victoria Park to watch aeronaut Henry Tracey Coxwell launch a new hydrogen balloon; the launch failed, panic spread, and a riot erupted, damaging the park, causing property loss, and severely injuring several spectators.

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Story summary

On 11 July 1864, about 50,000 people assembled in Leicester’s Victoria Park to watch aeronaut Henry Tracey Coxwell launch a new hydrogen balloon; the launch failed, panic spread, and a riot erupted, damaging the park, causing property loss, and severely injuring several spectators.