1968 Democratic National Convention protest activity facts for kids

Protest activity against the Vietnam War took place before and during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

In 1967, counterculture and anti-Vietnam War protest groups had been promising to come to Chicago and ruin the convention, and the city promised to maintain law and order.

For eight days the protesters were met by the Chicago Police Department in the streets and parks of Chicago while the U.S. Democratic Party met at the convention in the International Amphitheater, with the protests became violent in what a major report later said was a "police riot" on the night of August 28, 1968.

Images for kids

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  Yippie! button on display at the Chicago History Museum

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  This demonstration took place on August 10, 1968 as Chicago was preparing to host the Democratic National Convention.

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  People in Lincoln Park during the convention.

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  People in Lincoln Park during the convention, being recorded by NBC.

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  Chicago police drag an anti-war protester on August 28, 1968, during the Democratic National Convention as the crowd chants "The whole world is watching"