From the Encyclopedia of Chicago.
This little-known part of Chicago's history is regarded as the city's first civil disturbance and marked the beginning of political partisanship in city elections.
On March 6, 1855, a "Law and Order" coalition swept city elections. New Mayor Levi Boone (related to Daniel Boone) and the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, Nativists (Know-Nothing Party) immediately hiked liquor licenses to $300 and shortened the term of licenses from one year to three months. Expecting resistance to the move, they tripled the size of the police force, requiring members to wear uniforms for the first time.
They also enforced the ordinance requiring closure of taverns on Sunday. These moves were specifically to provoke German and Irish residents (now, there's a big surprise).
It worked. Germans organized to resist the license hikes and raised funds to pay fines for non-compliance with Sunday closings.
City courts were clogged with violators and a test case scheduled for April 21st, thereby setting a date for the anticipated riot.
What D'ya Mean No Drinking on Sunday??!! --Cooter
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