20 years ago (the year I moved to Detroit), the Tigers won the World Series. What should have been a proud moment for a city such as Motown quickly deteriorated, culminating in this photograph of fan Bubba Helms, which came to symbolize the riots that ensued (he later died of an overdose, following a failed suicide, broken marriage, mental illness, and addiction). Having a tradition of arson (Devil's Night), (1), (2), during which some residents have burned houses while others protected, bustin' caps to celebrate the New Year, and uneasy race relations may have contributed, though sports psychologists point to deindividuation (and booze) when seeking to explain hooliganism over the home team's victory.
posted by adampsyche on Oct 11, 2004 - 12 comments

Halloween Eve - Growing up in the seacoast-area of NH we called it Beggar's Night because that's when we went trick or treating. But many of my colleagues from Massachusetts call it Cabbage Night or Mischief Night (also, Top 10 Things to Do on Mischief Night). In Detroit, the call it Devil's Night. Another friend called it Door Bell Night. How do you refer to Halloween Eve?
posted by MediaMan on Oct 30, 2002 - 35 comments

Tonight is Devil's Night in Detroit. There have been measures taken in recent years to reduce the number of arsons on this night. From 6pm curfews to 'officially' renaming it 'Angel's Night'. Can a city that is known for this sort of behavior ever grow out of this image?
posted by tj on Oct 30, 2001 - 40 comments