Where was the DNC held in Chicago?
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) has been a significant event in the political landscape of the United States, and one of the most memorable DNCs took place in Chicago. In this article, we will delve into the details of where the DNC was held in Chicago and the impact it had on the Democratic Party and the nation as a whole.
The Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago from July 13 to July 16, 1968. This convention was particularly notable due to the turmoil and chaos that surrounded it, which reflected the broader social and political unrest of the time. The convention was initially scheduled to take place in Miami Beach, Florida, but was moved to Chicago due to concerns about security and the potential for violence.
The venue for the DNC in Chicago was the International Amphitheater, a large indoor arena located at 5220 W. 26th St. in the West Side neighborhood of the city. The International Amphitheater was chosen for its size and capacity to accommodate the thousands of delegates, journalists, and other attendees expected to attend the convention.
The 1968 DNC was marked by a series of contentious events that played out on the convention floor and in the streets of Chicago. The convention was overshadowed by the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy earlier in the year, as well as the ongoing Vietnam War and the civil rights movement.
One of the most memorable moments of the convention was the “Chicago Seven” trial, which involved seven individuals who were charged with inciting a riot during the convention. The trial, which lasted for several years, became a symbol of the political and social tensions of the era.
Despite the turmoil, the DNC in Chicago ultimately nominated Hubert H. Humphrey as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. Humphrey went on to lose the general election to Richard Nixon, but the 1968 DNC remains a significant moment in American political history.
In conclusion, the Democratic National Convention of 1968 was held at the International Amphitheater in Chicago, a venue that became synonymous with the tumultuous events of the convention. The convention’s impact on the Democratic Party and the nation was profound, and it continues to be remembered as a pivotal moment in American political history.
