In the mountains above Beirut, artillery thundered, but the 3,000 people assembled at Beirut’s Palace of Peace race track scarcely paid heed to the rumble: they had come to enjoy an afternoon of horse racing at the oval, which had opened in September after being closed during more than two years of warfare and unrest. Everything went well until the third race, when the four favorite horses fell at the start, thereby enabling a 91-to-1 long shot named Commodore to romp home as the winner. At that, hundreds of losing bettors swarmed onto the track, trampling over fences and tearing down the display board. After 15 minutes of bedlam, it was announced that the third race was canceled and that all bets would be refunded.
The decision pleased the crowd, but it enraged one man who had placed $11 on Commodore. Loudly he threatened to blow up the track if he did not get his winnings. Policemen threw him out, and peace seemed to be restored. Moments later a rocket-propelled grenade fired by an unidentified gunner hit the track, sending spectators and Thoroughbreds scurrying in every direction. No one was injured, but the track was shut down again until further notice.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How the Electoral College Actually Works
- Your Vote Is Safe
- Mel Robbins Will Make You Do It
- Why Vinegar Is So Good for You
- The Surprising Health Benefits of Pain
- You Don’t Have to Dread the End of Daylight Saving
- The 20 Best Halloween TV Episodes of All Time
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
Contact us at letters@time.com