I personally do not remember the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, but many do. For those of us who don’t remember that crucial event, there are books, documentaries, and Wikipedia. This convention happened the same year that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, which set off riots throughout the nations. Parts of DC still have not recovered from those riots. Robert F. Kennedy, former U.S. Attorney General and Presidential candidate, was also assassinated in 1968. The Vietnam War was still happening, and protests were growing stronger.
Against this backdrop, the Democrats held their convention. After RFK’s assassination, the front runner for the nomination was Hubert Humphrey. His running mate was Edmund Muskie. Social unrest was so high during this convention, that there were draconian security measures inside the convention center. This was the same convention where protests outside turned into another round of violent and highly publicized riots.
This is the most infamous Democratic National Convention ever held. Thanks to McJoan, you can now own a piece of this history. She has generously offered the memorabilia her parents collected at the convention. You can bid on this item, as well as the collection of Democratic Presidential Campaign Pins. In that group you will find a pin for Lyndon B. Johnson. He inherited the Vietnam war, it turned him into a president so unpopular that he chose not to run for re-election in 1968.
There are many other items in the YearlyKos Auction:
The auction ends tomorrow evening! Make certain you get in your final bids, and good luck! Thank you for helping out YearlyKos! Your contributions help us to defray the massive costs of putting on this amazing convention!