Democratic National Convention Records
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- Special Collections and Preservation Division
- Title
- Democratic National Convention Records
- Creator
- Democratic National Convention (1968 : Chicago, Ill.)
- Identifier
- spe.dnc
- Size
- 3 Linear Feet in 4 boxes, 2 photographs
- Dates
- 1965-1968
- Predominant Dates
- 1968
- Abstract
- The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago determined that Hubert Humphrey would be the Democratic candidate for president. Throughout the Convention, anti-war protestors demonstrated around Chicago and experienced police violence and arrests. The majority of this collection details the events and messages of the Convention itself through the officially produced material that was distributed to delegates and press. The protests surrounding the convention and the ensuing police crackdown are covered through a series of national alternative newspapers.
- Language
- English .
Biographical / Historical
The Democratic National Convention was witness to controversy and suspense both within the convention hall and without. Held in Chicago's International Amphitheatre August 26-29, 1968, the Convention determined who would be the Democratic candidate for president. In March of that year, amid criticism over his handling of the Vietnam War, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced he would not seek a second term in office, leaving a field of multiple candidates vying for the position.
Senator Robert F. Kennedy of New York was a strong candidate with a great deal of support. On June 5, 1968, however, shortly after winning the California Democratic primary, Kennedy was shot. He died on June 6. Entering the Democratic National Convention in August, it was still unclear which remaining candidates Kennedy's supporters would endorse.
Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy and South Dakota Senator George McGovern were the leading candidates at the Convention in Chicago. McCarthy ran as the anti-war candidate. Ultimately, Hubert Humphrey was nominated, with Maine Senator Edmund Muskie as his running mate. Humphrey went on to lose the presidential election in November to Republican Richard Nixon.
While the race for the nomination played out inside the convention hall, another story was unfolding outside. As the war in Vietnam escalated, so did anti-war sentiment among American citizens. Additionally, the recent assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., on April 4, 1968, was freshly fueling the Civil Rights movement. Two main groups of Vietnam War protesters—the Youth International Party, or Yippies, and the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam, or MOBE—planned a series of protests throughout Chicago to coincide with the Convention.
Chicago's mayor, Richard J. Daley, was aware of the protest plans and conscious of the racial climate in America's urban centers. Race riots had occurred in Los Angeles in 1965, in Detroit in 1967 and around the country after King's death, including in Chicago. Daley boldly advertised that his host city would maintain "law and order." Yippies and other anti-war groups were repeatedly denied permits to assemble and to march, especially in African American neighborhoods, for fear that their purportedly peaceful movement would lead to riots and violence. Though a few events were granted permits, late August approached with antagonism and tension already sewn between city officials and protesters.
In the days leading up to the Convention, police increased their presence and instituted a curfew. On August 23, planned protests began. Most of the protest activity took place in Lincoln Park or Grant Park, both several miles north of the Convention site. Throughout the week, various bouts of violence broke out between the police and the protesters. Hundreds of people on both sides were injured, and hundreds more protesters were arrested. Eight leaders of the protest groups went on to face a years-long trial and appeal process with charges of crossing state lines to incite a riot, among others. Ultimately, the Chicago Seven, as this group of leaders came to be called, were acquitted of most charges and served nominal sentences, if any, for their convictions.
Scope and Contents
The majority of this collection details the events and messages of the Convention itself through the officially produced material that was distributed to delegates and press. Records include schedules, press releases, seating charts, committee information, speeches, statements, campaign literature, posters and reports. The protests surrounding the convention and the ensuing police crackdown are covered in Series 5: the Alternative Press Response, comprised of newspapers.
Processing Information note
This collection was surveyed as part of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's Survey Initiative on 2010 July 13 by Lisa Calahan.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Materials found in collection; no documentation concerning the provenance of these materials exists.
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Preferred Citation
When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Democratic National Convention Records, [Box #, Folder #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 5 series. Folders within series are arranged alphabetically.
Series 1: Democratic National Convention Records, 1968; Series 2: Candidates, 1968; Series 3: Speeches and Statements, 1968; Series 4: Related and Participating Organizations, 1965, 1968; Series 5: Alternative Press Response, 1968
Conditions Governing Use
Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Indexed Terms
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Protest movements--United States
- Political conventions
- Underground press publications
- Counterculture
- Muskie, Edmund S., 1914-1996
- McGovern, George S. (George Stanley), 1922-2012
- McCarthy, Eugene J., 1916-2005
- Inouye, Daniel K., 1924-2012
- Kennedy, Edward M. (Edward Moore), 1932-2009
- Daly, Lar, 1912-1978
- Daley, Richard J., 1902-1976
- Youth International Party
- National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam
- Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978
- Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973
- Clark, William G.
Inventory
This series contains information distributed by the Democratic National Committee primarily in the form of press releases and schedules. Information about subcommittees also appears, especially information on the Rules Committee, the Platform Committee, the Credentials Committee and Mayor Daley's Host Committee. Some information about a credential protest from Alabama is included, as well as information about resolutions and seating charts.
Files are arranged alphabetically.
- Title
- Biographies
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- Committees
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- Committee on Rules and Order of Business
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- Credentials Committee
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- Delegates
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- Platform
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- Press
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- Press Releases
- Dates
- 1968 August 19-28
- Title
- Press Releases
- Dates
- [1968 August], undated
- Title
- Press Releases – schedules
- Dates
- 1968 August 20-29
- Title
- Press Releases – Mayor Daley's Host Committee
- Dates
- 1968 August 22-29
- Title
- Resolutions
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- Seating Charts
- Dates
- 1968
This series is comprised of press releases, newsletters, campaign literature, posters, buttons, bumper stickers, speeches, statements and interviews primarily related to the three main candidates: Hubert Humphrey, Eugene McCarthy and George McGovern. One folder on Ted Kennedy also exists, as some people wanted him to run.
Files are arranged alphabetically by last name of candidate, with folders relating to multiple candidates coming at the front.
- Title
- 8 Campaign buttons for various candidates
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- Candidate campaign posters, bumper stickers, and literature for various candidates
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- Humphrey, Hubert – campaign literature
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- Humphrey, Hubert – News from Citizens for Humphrey
- Dates
- 1968 July-August
- Title
- Humphrey, Hubert – photographs (1 photograph of Humphrey's wife, Muriel and 1 photograph of Humphrey's daughter-in-law, Lee)
- Dates
- undated
- Title
- Humphrey, Hubert – press releases
- Dates
- 1968 August 5, 1968 August 22-28, undated
- Title
- Humphrey, Hubert – schedules
- Dates
- 1968 August 24-28
- Title
- Humphrey, Hubert – Victory '68 Newsletter
- Dates
- 1968 July-August, undated
- Title
- HH Victory '68
- Dates
- 1968 August 26-29
- Title
- Kennedy, Ted
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- McCarthy, Eugene – campaign literature and event fliers
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- McCarthy, Eugene – press releases
- Dates
- 1968 August 17-28, undated
- Title
- McCarthy, Eugene – speeches, interviews, press conferences
- Dates
- 1968 August 25-29
- Title
- The McCarthy Advantage
- Dates
- 1968 August 1-27
- Title
- McGovern, George – campaign literature
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- McGovern, George – press releases
- Dates
- 1968 August 19-27, undated
- Title
- McGovern, George – schedules
- Dates
- 1968
- Title
- McGovern, George – speeches and statements
- Dates
- 1968 August 20-23
- Title
- Muskie, Edmund
- Dates
- 1968
This series is comprised of speech transcripts, printed statements and accompanying press releases for speeches given at the convention and statements made to various bodies at the convention, primarily the Platform Committee. Speakers and statement authors include politicians, leaders of interested and affiliated organizations and candidates.
This series is arranged alphabetically by speaker.
- Title
- Adams, Ansel, photographer, writer and conservationist
- Dates
- 1968 August 24
- Title
- Addonizio, Hugh J., mayor of Newark, N.J.
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- AFL-CIO Maritime Committee
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Albert, Carl, Oklahoma Congressman
- Dates
- 1968 August 27
- Title
- Alioto, Jospeh, Mayor of San Francisco
- Dates
- 1968 August 28
- Title
- Allen, Kay, Former Speaker of Utah House of Representatives and Chairman, Utah Coordinating Council, Health and Welfare, State of Utah
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- American Energy Committee on the Panama Canal
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Bailey, John M., Democratic National Convention Chairman
- Dates
- 1968 August 24, [1968 August]
- Title
- Bayh, Birch, Indiana Senator
- Dates
- 1968 August 23, [1968 August]
- Title
- Board of Christian Social Concerns, The United Methodist Church
- Dates
- 1968 August 21
- Title
- Bond, Julian, Co-Chairman of Georgia Delegation
- Dates
- 1968 August 24
- Title
- Burke, Joseph F., Past National Commander of Disabled American Veterans
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Clark, William, Senate candidate from Illinois
- Dates
- 1968 August 25
- Title
- Connally, John, Governor [of Texas]
- Dates
- 1968 August 22
- Title
- Council for Christian Social Action – United Church of Christ
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- Daley, Richard J., Mayor [of Chicago]
- Dates
- 1968 August 26, 1968 August 29
- Title
- Daly, Lar, [presidential candidate]
- Dates
- 1968 August
- Title
- Delegates, Guests, Observers of the Democratic Convention who are Peacefully Assembling
- Dates
- 1968 August 29
- Title
- Draper, William H., Jr., Population Crisis Committee; Planned Parenthood
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Emmet, Christopher, Executive Vice-President, American Council on Germany
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Friedan, Betty, President, National Organization of Women
- Dates
- 1968 August 22
- Title
- Galbraith, John Kenneth, the Foreign Affairs spokesman for Senator Eugene McCarthy on the Czech Crisis
- Dates
- 1968 August 21
- Title
- Georgiadis, Houmouzis G., Chairman, Greeks and Americans for Democratic Action in Greece
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Ginsberg, Mitchell I., National Association of Social Workers
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Grantham, J.O., Vice-President, Northern Systems Company
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Harrington, Michael, [Socialist writer and activist]
- Dates
- 1968 August 22
- Title
- Hoff, Philip H., Governor of Vermont
- Dates
- 1968 August 22
- Title
- Hollander, Charles, Director, Drug Studies, U.S. National Student Association; Member, Executive Committee, National Coordinating Council on Drug Abuse Education and Information
- Dates
- 1968 August
- Title
- Hood, Edwin M., President, Shipbuilders Council of America
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Hughes, Harold E., Iowa Governor
- Dates
- 1968 August 28
- Title
- Humphrey, Hubert H., nomination acceptance
- Dates
- 1968 August 29
- Title
- Inouye, Daniel K., Senator [from Hawaii], keynote
- Dates
- 1968 August 26
- Title
- Johnson, Lyndon, [President]
- Dates
- 1968 August 19
- Title
- Keyserling, Mary Dublin, [Federal Women's Bureau]
- Dates
- 1968 August 29
- Title
- Lane, General Thomas A., President, Americans for Constitutional Action
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Lithuanian American Council
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Loeb, Carl M., Jr., President, National Council on Crime and Delinquency
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- McGovern, George, South Dakota Senator; [presidential candidate]
- Dates
- 1968 August 29
- Title
- Melas, Nicholas J., Trustee of Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Mitchell, Stephen A., Chairman, McCarthy Campaign Committee
- Dates
- 1968 August 21
- Title
- Mondale, Walter F., Minnesota Senator
- Dates
- 1968 August 11
- Title
- Moore, Carlos, Director, Department of Legislation and Political Education, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Dates
- 1968 August 22
- Title
- Murnaghan, Francis D., President, Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners and Aaron Brown, Member, New York City Board of Education
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- The National Council on Aging
- Dates
- 1968 [August]
- Title
- National Council of Women
- Dates
- 1968 Summer
- Title
- National Milk Producers Federation
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Overton, J. Allen, Jr., Executive Vice President, American Mining Congress
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Partridge, Robert D., General Manager National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Randolph, Jennings, West Virginia Senator
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Ribicoff, Abraham, Connecticut Senator
- Dates
- 1968 August 19, 1968 August 24
- Title
- Stern, Philip M., "Delegate from District of Columbia, Placing in Nomination for the Presidency the Name of the Reverend Channing E. Phillips (The first Negro ever to be placed in nomination at any major Party convention)"
- Dates
- 1968 August 28
- Title
- Strackbein, O.R., Chairman, Nationwide Committee on Import-Export Policy
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Terres, Edward A., Vice President, States Marine Lines, Inc.
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Tydings, Joseph, Senator [from Maryland]
- Dates
- 1968 August 28
- Title
- Vescelius, C.H., Chairman of the Board, National Waterways Conference, Inc.
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Weaver, Robert C., [Secretary of Department of Housing and Urban Development]
- Dates
- 1968 August 26
- Title
- Wilkins, Roy, Chairman, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
- Dates
- 1968 August 22
- Title
- Williams, Harrison A., New Jersey Senator
- Dates
- 1968 August 29
- Title
- Women's Coalition of Chicago
- Dates
- 1968 July
- Title
- Young, Whitney M., Jr., Executive Director, National Urban League
- Dates
- 1968 August 23
- Title
- Summary of testimony of multiple people before Platform Committee
- Dates
- 1968 August 19
This series is mainly comprised of press releases, reports and statements put out by organizations participating in the Convention or related to the candidates or the Democratic Party. One folder on the Yippie movement includes fliers for protest events scheduled during the Convention.
The series is arranged alphabetically.
- Title
- California Democratic Delegation – press releases
- Dates
- 1968 August 25
- Title
- Chicago: Convention City
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- Democratic Party
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- "Humphrey vs. Nixon: How You Are Affected if Senator McCarthy is not Nominated" by Anthony Scoville and John Fogarty
- Dates
- 1968 August 10
- Title
- Illinois Committee for McCarthy for President – platform forum
- Dates
- 1968 August 4-11
- Title
- Minority Report on How to End the War in Vietnam
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- Press releases
- Dates
- 1968 August 19-26
- Title
- Pennsylvania Committee of McCarthy for President – press releases
- Dates
- 1968 August 25-29
- Title
- The Report of Surveys in Ten States
- Dates
- 1968 August
- Title
- Republicans and Independents for McCarthy
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- "We the Nation of the Free" (sheet music dedicated to Lyndon Johnson)
- Dates
- 1965 August 27
- Title
- Yippie Movement
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- Young Democrats of Harvard and Radcliffe: "The Time Has Come: A Democratic Alternative"
- Dates
- 1968
This series is comprised of alternative, left-leaning newspapers from around the country, with the exception of one publication from the mainstream ABC News. The papers' main audience appears to be counter culture and left-leaning readers, and the editions in this series focus on the experiences of protesters at the Convention.
Files are arranged alphabetically by title.
- Title
- Berkeley Barb (California)
- Dates
- [1968] August 16-22, [1968] September 13-19
- Title
- Chicago Seed
- Dates
- [1968 August]
- Title
- The East Village Other (New York, NY)
- Dates
- 1968 September 6-13
- Title
- Kaleidoscope (Milwaukee, WI)
- Dates
- 1968 September 13-26
- Title
- Los Angeles Free Press
- Dates
- 1968 September 13-19
- Title
- Manhattan Tribune: Covering the Convention (New York)
- Dates
- 1968 August 27-28
- Title
- Peace & Freedom National Organizer (Chicago, IL)
- Dates
- 1968 August
- Title
- The Rampart Wall Poster (Ramparts Magazine, California)
- Dates
- 1968 August 24-27
- Title
- Rat Subterranean News (New York, NY) Convention Special
- Dates
- [1968]
- Title
- The Southern Courier (Montgomery, AL)
- Dates
- 1968 August 24-25
- Title
- What's New at ABC News
- Dates
- 1968 August
- Title
- Young Politics: Official Publication of the Young Democratic Clubs of America Convention Issue
- Dates
- 1968 September