Images: #TBT Gallery revisits 1968 Democratic convention
The political turbulence of the 1960s came to a head during the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Vietnam War protesters packed the streets and clashed with police during the "Battle of Michigan Avenue."
Mayor Richard J. Daley called in thousands of police to contain protesters, but the situation was quickly out of control. Police beat and gassed the protesters.
Meanwhile, inside the convention, the party was fractured over its stance on Vietnam. Supporters of both Eugene McCarthy, a staunch anti-war candidate, and then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey - who eventually got the nomination for president - debated whether to remain in the war. As talk grew heated, fights broke out on the convention floor.
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Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Courtesy of Bernie Kleina/AP
Mayor Richard J. Daley speaks at the Democratic National Convention in August 1968 in Chicago. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Courtesy of Bernie Kleina/AP
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Then-Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey speaks at the Democratic National Convention in August 1968 in Chicago. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police. Even the convention itself was fractured over the party's stance on the Vietnam War. Supporters of both Eugene McCarthy, a staunch anti-war candidate, and Humphrey - who eventually got the party's nomination for president - debated whether to remain in the war. As talk grew heated, fights broke out on the convention floor.
Daily Herald File Photo
The National Guard keeps a close eye on protesters during the Democratic National Convention in August 1968 in Chicago. People protesting the Vietnam War packed the streets and clashed with police. Eventually, Mayor Richard J. Daley called in thousands more officers who beat and gassed the protesters.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Sen. Edmund Muskie of Maine and Vice-President Hubert Humphrey accept the nominations for vice president and president, respectively, from delegates at the Democratic National Convention in August 1968 in Chicago. Other possible nominees included Sen. George McGovern of South Dakota and Sen. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota. In addition to protesters and police clashing outside the convention, the party itself was fractured over the its stance on the Vietnam War. Supporters of both McCarthy, a staunch anti-war candidate, and Humphrey - who eventually got the party's nomination for president - debated whether to remain in the war. As talk grew heated, fights broke out on the convention floor.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Courtesy of Bernie Kleina/AP
The Illinois delegation applauds during the Democratic National Convention in August 1968 in Chicago. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Daily Herald File Photo
Chicago was the host city for the Democratic National Convention in August 1968. Protesters packed the streets and clashed with police.
Courtesy of Bernie Kleina/AP
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