The 1968 Democratic National Convention: A Tumultuous Time
Leading Up to the Convention
The months leading up to the 1968 Democratic National Convention were marked by turmoil.
The brutal assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in April 1968 sparked widespread protests and unrest across the country.
The Convention
The Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago from August 26-29, 1968.
Arrival of Delegates
As delegates arrived in Chicago for the convention, they found a city on edge.
Mayor Richard J. Daley had deployed thousands of police officers to maintain order, but tensions were high.
Violent Clashes
On August 28, 1968, violent clashes erupted between demonstrators and the police.
The clashes, which were captured on live television, produced some of the most iconic images of the 1960s.
The convention was eventually adjourned without a nominee, and the Democratic Party was deeply divided.
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