An armed conflict between gays, lesbians, and the police, took place the night of June 28, 1969 in the city of New York. The conflicts arose as a result of the police raid on the gay bar called Stonewall Inn. The police met with firm resistance from the bar visitors and other members of the gay community who joined them. This uprising is considered to have marked the beginning of the contemporary gay and lesbian rights movement.

On June 28, 1970, the first ever gay and lesbian rights march took place in memory of the Stonewall uprising. This march is now annual and is one of the largest gay parades in the world, the Christopher Street Day.