Stonewall Inn

Stonewall Inn

The Stonewall Inn, often simply referred to as Stonewall, is a historic bar and national monument located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan, New York City. It is widely recognized as the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

History

The Stonewall Inn was originally constructed as two separate stables in the mid-19th century. In 1930, the buildings were combined to create a restaurant. It wasn't until 1967 that the establishment was renamed the Stonewall Inn and began operating as a gay bar.

The Stonewall Inn is most famous for the Stonewall Riots that took place in 1969. These riots were a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969. The riots are widely considered to be the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Legacy

In 2000, the Stonewall Inn was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service. In 2016, then-President Barack Obama designated the site of the Stonewall riots, the Stonewall Inn, and the surrounding area as the Stonewall National Monument, making it the first U.S. National Monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and history.

The Stonewall Inn continues to operate as a bar and cultural center for the LGBTQ+ community. It hosts events such as drag shows, performances, and discussions, and serves as a gathering place for LGBTQ+ rights activism.

See Also

• LGBTQ+ Rights Movement
• Stonewall Riots
• Greenwich Village
• National Historic Landmarks in New York City
• National Monuments of the United States