TORONTO — A softball game will be held Sunday, Aug. 11, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Christie Pits Riot, the largest ethnic battle in Toronto’s history.

The riot, which lasted six hours, broke out after a softball game at Christie Pits Park between a predominantly Jewish team and its opponent. Nazi supporters in attendance unfurled a blanket with a swastika and shouted the words, “heil Hitler.” Violence erupted when Jewish community members attempted to seize the inflammatory blanket.

An estimated 10,000 people are believed to have taken part in the brawl, which exemplified the degree of anti-Semitism in Toronto at that time as well as the determination of the Jewish community to battle Nazi sympathizers.

UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and its advocacy arm, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), are sponsoring the commemorative game, which will include prominent Toronto sports media celebrities. 

The event is scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m. at Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor Street West (Bloor and Christie) on diamond No. 2, which is located in the northwest area of Christie Pits Park.