1. Vietnam war Protests

2. During the four years following passage of the Tonkin Gulf Resolution (1964), which gave LBJ a blank check to send troops and weapons to Vietnam, the war effort intensified as troop levels climbed to over 500,000.

3. Opposition to the war grew as TV graphically showed the suffering of both civilians and soldiers.

7. In 1965 demonstrations in New York City attracted 25,000 marchers; within two years similar demonstrations drew several hundred thousand in Washington DC and European capitals.

13. Objections to the military draft led some protestors to burn their draft cards and refuse to obey induction notices. Teach-ins and student organizations like the SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) held rallies and marches.

18. Speeches and music reflected the anger and hopelessness that Americans felt over the Vietnam War. Some soldiers stationed overseas began supporting the anti-war movement in whatever capacity they could, from wearing peace symbols to refusing to obey orders.

22. Soldiers returning home from the war were no longer regarded as heroes & were verbally and physically abused. Young men sought to evade the draft by being conscientious objectors or leaving for Canada. The TET Offensive of 1968 and the horrendous casualties that resulted eroded American support for the war even more.

23. In 1968, President Johnson announced he would not seek re-election. The election of Richard Nixon in 1968 did little to dampen the anti-war movement. Even though he reduced US ground forces, he invaded Cambodia, which led to massive demonstrations on college campuses.

24. Ohio National Guardsmen were sent to Kent State after the University's Army R.O.T.C. building was burned down on May 2, 1970. On May 3, Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes personally appeared on campus and promised to use "every force possible" to maintain order. Rhodes denounced the protesters as worse than brown shirts and vowed to keep the Guard in Kent "until we get rid of them."

25. Four students were killed and nine others wounded when a contingent of Guardsmen suddenly opened fire during a noontime demonstration on May 4.