In short
When the Democratic Party gathered in Chicago in late August 1968 to pick a new presidential nominee, thousands of anti-war protesters filled the streets outside. Police responded with batons and tear gas, turning the convention into a flashpoint for the era's deepest fractures—over Vietnam, race, and who got a say in American politics.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
The 1968 Democratic National Convention was held August 26–29 at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Earlier that year incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson had announced he would not seek reelection, thus making the purpose of the convention to select a new presidential nominee for the Democratic Party. Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine were nominated for president and vice president, respectively.
As it was happening
13 voices, 354 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Johnson announces non-candidacy
President Lyndon B. Johnson declares he will not seek reelection, throwing the Democratic race open and energizing the anti-war movement.
Voices from this moment (1)
Johnson announces non-candidacy
Mar 31
“President Lyndon B.”
As it was happening
13 voices, 354 days.
Day 0 · March 31, 1968
Johnson announces non-candidacy
President Lyndon B. Johnson declares he will not seek reelection, throwing the Democratic race open and energizing the anti-war movement.
“President Lyndon B.”
- Johnson announces non-candidacy, Mar 31
Day 66 · June 5, 1968
Robert Kennedy assassinated
Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a leading anti-war candidate, is shot in Los Angeles and dies the next day, deepening the chaos within the Democratic Party.
“Senator Robert F.”
- Robert Kennedy assassinated, Jun 5
Day 142 · August 20, 1968
Protesters begin arriving
Anti-war activists and civil rights demonstrators start converging on Chicago ahead of the convention; the city mobilizes police and National Guard.
“Anti-war activists and civil rights demonstrators start…”
- Protesters begin arriving, Aug 20
Day 148 · August 26, 1968
Convention opens; clashes begin
The Democratic National Convention begins as the first confrontations erupt between protesters and police near the International Amphitheatre.
“The Democratic National Convention begins as the first…”
- Convention opens; clashes begin, Aug 26
Day 150 · August 28, 1968
Wednesday's battle
The most intense clashes occur during the night of August 27–28 in Grant Park and along Michigan Avenue; police attack protesters with batons and tear gas as the convention hall nominates Hubert Humphrey.
“The Democratic Party is in the process of nominating its…”
- CBS Evening News broadcast, August 28, 1968, Aug 28
“The most intense clashes occur during the night of August…”
- Wednesday's battle, Aug 28
Day 151 · August 29, 1968
Convention ends
The convention concludes with Humphrey as the nominee; police maintain heavy presence as remaining crowds disperse.
“Gentlemen, let's get the thing straight, once and for all.”
- Press conference, August 29, 1968, Aug 29
“I regret deeply the incidents which have occurred.”
- Acceptance speech and subsequent statements, August 29, 1968, Aug 29
“They're trying to show America that dissent itself is…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Hayden interviews and activist statements, August 28-29, 1968, Aug 29
“The Democratic Party was nominating a man in a hall while…”
- Synthesized from period accounts - Mailer's convention coverage, Harper's Magazine and subsequent reporting, Sep 15
“The convention concludes with Humphrey as the nominee;…”
- Convention ends, Aug 29
Day 219 · November 5, 1968
Nixon wins presidency
Richard Nixon defeats Hubert Humphrey in the general election; exit polls and analysis attribute part of his victory to the backlash against the Chicago riots.
“Richard Nixon defeats Hubert Humphrey in the general…”
- Nixon wins presidency, Nov 5
Day 354 · March 20, 1969
Chicago Eight trial begins
Eight protest leaders, including Tom Hayden and Abbie Hoffman, go to trial on conspiracy charges; the trial becomes a flashpoint for free speech and police conduct debates.
“Eight protest leaders, including Tom Hayden and Abbie…”
- Chicago Eight trial begins, Mar 20
The numbers.
3 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Estimated protesters
0–15,000
Estimated police/National Guard
0
TV viewers of convention
0 million Americans
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
The web as it looked, the day it happened.
Wayback Machine snapshots of the pages people actually loaded that day. Click any card to open the archive at full size.
Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.1968 Democratic National Convention riots
en.wikipedia.org