Chicago4

Events Leading Up To the Democratic Convention of 1968

  • Tet Offensive

    The Tet offensive began in South Vietnam. The North Vietnamese and Vietcongs attacked the U. S Embassy in Saigon. This is known as the "turning point of public support" for the war.
  • Period: to

    The Democratic Convention of 1968 & Events That Lead Up To

  • Nixon

    Richard Nixon entered the race for Republican presidential nominee. Says the war in Vietnam needs to be handled more effectively.
  • George Wallace

    George Wallace, Governor of Alabama, enters the presidential race for the Independant Party. 3 black students are killed, 27 are killed at SC State University. Demonstrators were demanding intergration of a bowling alley, the officers shot as them. This is known as "the Orangeburg Massacre".
  • MOBE

    In Lake Villa, Illinois, a conference brings together MOBE, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and Yippies to discuss the Convention demonstration.
  • President Johnson

    President Johnson plans to stop the bombing in North Vietnam, sends another 13, 500 troops, and also reveals that he will not return as President for another year or accept nomination.
  • Martin Luther King Jr.

    Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. In over a hundred cities riots break out. In Chicago, nine African-Americans are killed.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1968

    The Civil Rights Act of 1968 is signed by President Johnson. This includes a new "anti-riot" law, which states it is illegal to cross state lines with intent to riot.
  • Richard Daley

    Richard J. Daley, Mayor of Chicago, criticizes the Superintendant of Poilce, James Conlisk, for his poor job at handling the riots after MLK's assassination.
  • Chicago Anti-war March & Hubert Humphrey

    Eight-thousand people attend an anti-war march in Chicago. After the march, the Chicago police order the crowd to leave with the force of clubs. The Sparling reports criticizes the Daley administration and police. Also, Hubert H. Humphrey, Vice-President, announces he will be running for President with the Democratic party.
  • Peace Talks

    Peace talks begin with Paris. They focus on North Vietnam's demand for U.S boming to end. More than 2,000 Americans die this month, the highest monthly rate throughout the war.
  • Robert Kennedy

    Senator Robert kennedy is assassinated in Los Angeles, California after winning the primary.
  • Yippies

    The Yippies apply to Chicago for permission to camp out in Lincoln Park during the convention week.
  • MOBE

    MOBE now applies for permits to Chicago, to march and rally at the International Amphitheatre and Grant Park as well. All the permits are denied except bandshell.
  • Republican National Convention

    The Republican National Convention in Miami, Florida, Ronalod Reagon says he will be a candidate for the Republican nominee.
  • Nixon

    Ricard M. Nixon wins the Republican nomination for President. His main purpose is "to bring an honorable end to the war in Vietnam".
  • George S. McGovern

    Senator George S. McGovern announces his candidacy for the Democratic nomination.
  • Convention

    From August 22, 1968 to August 29, 1968 the Convention rioting began. The actually convention was from the August 26 to August 29.