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March Against the Vietnam War Held in Washington DC
Several anti-war student groups came together and organized a march on Washington to protest the war. The organizers expected the march to be somewhat small in size, planning for 2,000 protesters. Instead, 25,000 people showed up to protest, making it one of the largest demonstrations of it's time. (http://bit.ly/1my7Wjs) -
Destruction of Draft Cards Made Illegal
President Lyndon B. Johnson made the destruction of draft cards illegal in an effort to curb the act of burning a draft card in protest of the Vietnam war. This law prompted further anger from anti-war activists, particularly students, and led to more public mass burnings of draft cards. (http://bbc.in/1mIr5nC) -
First Public Draft Card Burning
During protests held by the National Committee to end the War, a student publicly burned his draft card in opposition to the newly passed laws restricting the destruction of such cards. The burning of draft cards became a popular protest movement with student protesters. (http://bit.ly/1jxF4YS) Image: http://bit.ly/1rLfa8W -
University of Wisconsin Protests against Dow Chemicals Recruitment
Students at the University of Wisconsin staged protests after Dow Chemicals, a weapons producer, began recruitment on college campuses. These protests orignally started peaceful, however the large size of the crowds led to the use of tear gas, and errupted into violence. This event was the first of it's kind to end violently, and brought about a new wave of using force to stop protests, further angering student activists. (http://to.pbs.org/1mM1NFe)
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Eugene McCarthy runs for President on Anti-War Platform
McCarthy, a senator from Minnesota, ran for president in the democratic primary against the incumbent, President Lyndon B. Johnson. Student organizers rallied behind McCarthy due to his anti-war stance, losing to only a four percent difference in votes, proving that the anti-war sentiment was growing larger with voters. (http://bit.ly/1rLf7tJ) Image: http://bit.ly/1m9xNnI -
Bombing on North Vietnam is Halted
President Lyndon B. Johnson announced the halting of bombing on North Vietnam, promising instead to discuss possible diplomatic solutions. This change reflected the dropping approval rate of the war at the time, and promised a more “hopeful phase” for the peace talks. (http://bit.ly/1m9xLfm) -
Moratorium To End The War
The Moratorium to end the war was one of the largest anti-war protests in United States history. This day of protest took many forms, with students refusing to attend classes, demonstrations in multiple cities, and speeches. Some protests did end in violent conflicts with local police forces or others, however, the day is largely remembered for being a peaceful, nationwide mass protest. (http://bbc.in/1gRJN5Z) Image: http://bit.ly/1qn3Ty8 -
Nixon gives "Silent Majority" Speech
Nixon gave his “Silent Majority” speech, which refuted claims made by the anti-war movement and stated that retreating from Vietnam would result in a loss that would damage American pride and global confidence in the United States. By calling for the support of the “silent majority”, Nixon implies that while the voice of the dissenters were louder, the majority of the people supported the war. (http://1.usa.gov/TGS7Ay) -
Students Suspended for Wearing Black Armbands to Protest the War
Three students in Iowa wore black arm bands to school in order to protest the loss of life due to the war, and were suspended for doing so. While this protest was small in size, the students took the issue to court, eventually leading to the Supreme Court case Tinker V. Des Moines, ruling in favor of the student's rights to wear the arm bands. (http://bit.ly/1jBvCU5) -
Kent State Shooting
Ohio National Guardsmen were sent to Kent State University after protests erupted due to the invasion of Cambodia. On May 4th, students held a protest on campus, and refused to disperse after being told to do so by the National Guardsmen. Due to the tension of the situation, the National Guardsmen shot into the unarmed crowd, resulting in the death of four students and injuring others. This event only further fueled the anti-war sentiment. (http://bit.ly/1hT1KDe)
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John Kerry Testifies Against The War in Congress
John Kerry testified to congress on behalf of the group Vietnam Veterans Against The War, and spoke for over an hour about what he witnessed during the war, as well as the treatment of veterans once they returned to the US, with many suffering from unemployment and understaffed VA hospitals. (http://bit.ly/1looSbP)
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Dewey Canyon III Protests
During the Dewey Canyon III protests, hundreds of Vietnam veterans arrived in Washington DC in order to protest the war. The climax of the protest occurred when the veterans threw their metals, toy weapons, and other war memorabilia on the steps of the capitol. There were also protests held at the Pentagon and Supreme Court. (http://bit.ly/TtkjWW)
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Nixon Delcares a Cease-Fire
Nixon declaresd a cease-fire in Vietnam, after public opinion of the war dropped to thirty percent. The Paris Peace Accords were not signed until a year later, however, this cease-fire announcement began the United States departure from the region. (http://abcn.ws/1nGuHsc)
