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There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at noiser.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts@intohristory.com It's 10pm on October 8, 1969, in the affluent Gold coast area of Chicago, Illinois. Walking carefully backward, 17 year old student photographer David Fenton raises his camera and snaps a picture of the crowd of protesters moving down the street. David has spent the past year documenting the Weathermen, a radical left wing group determined to overthrow the US Government, and today is the first of four days of rage when the Weathermen plan to use violent protests to bring attention to their cause. But as David looks at the group, he can see turnout is low. The Weathermen hoped tens of thousands of people would join them, but less than 300 have turned up. Still, those who are here don't seem deterred by their small number. As David prepares to take another photograph, one of the activists in front of him pulls out a crowbar from underneath his jacket. He then runs to the nearest storefront and smashes the glass window. This first act of violence provokes another and then another. Moving as a pack, the Weathermen go on the rampage, destroying anything and everything in their path. Stores, cars, mailboxes. They're all targeted. But as the group reaches the center of the Gold coast district, they suddenly come face to face with a wall of police officers who seem to have been expecting a big turnout. They outnumber the demonstrators five to one, but the protesters still aren't frightened. Rather than stop and turn back, the Weathermen begin hurling bricks and bottles at the police line. This is the confrontation they've come here for, and they're just getting started. With their violent protests, the Weathermen plan to bring the Vietnam War to the streets of America. In the aftermath of this riot, parts of downtown Chicago are certainly left looking like a war zone. But the Weathermen's goals go beyond vandalism. They want to remake America and believe the revolution will begin on October 8, 1960. Before we get back to the show, a super quick announcement. You've probably heard another super quick announcement recently that I'm hoping to hit the road with a history Daily Live show and I told you to go to historydailylive.com to sign up for info. But that form was broken and some of you received an error message. It had something to do with a misconfigured SSL certificate causing a 301 redirect loop and if you understand that I should have come to you when setting it up, but it's working now better than ever. So if you've tried before and did get an error message, please head to historydailylive.com and let me know your home city so I can plan this tour. And if you haven't tried before, please head to historydailylive.com and let me know your home city so I can plan this tour. That's historydailylive.com let's make history live and in person. Historydailylive.com we're well into the back half of the calendar and these cooler days call for layers that last and Quince is a go to for quality essentials that feel cozy, look refined and won't blow your budget. Think $50 Mongolian cashmere, premium denim that fits like a dream and luxe outerwear you'll wear year after year. These are the pieces that'll turn into your fall uniform or Quince's wool coats. They look designer level but cost a fraction of the price because Quince partners directly with top tier ethical factories and cuts out the middlemen, delivering luxury quality pieces at half the price of similar brands. And it's the kind of wardrobe upgrade that feels smart, stylish and effortless. And it's not just for adults. Recently we updated my daughter's back to school look with a new hoodie, some wide legged fleece pants and even a bracelet that she's yet to take off. Find your fall staples at Quint's. Go to quints.comhistorydaily for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns now available in Canada too. That's Q u I n c-e.comhistorydaily to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.comhistorydaily this message comes from Capital One.
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From Noiser and Airship, I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History. Daily history is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and Events that shaped our world. Today is October 8, 1969. Chicago's Days of Rage. It's June 23, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois. Four months before the first Day of Rage. In the south side Coliseum Convention Center, 22 year old Mark Rudd pushes his way through a crowd of fellow students. He's trying to reach the podium, but he's heckled and jeered as he fights his way to the front. It's the ninth annual meeting of the Students for a Democratic Society, but the mood in the hall is toxic. These are turbulent times in America, with widespread anger, frustration and fear among people on all sides. For the political spectrum. In recent years, there have been numerous assassinations, riots and brutal police crackdowns. And much of the discontent centers on the Vietnam War. While the majority of Americans supported the conflict in its early stages, as the years have passed and the death toll has grown, public opinion has shifted. Opposition to the war is especially strong on college campuses. Many students see Vietnam as the single biggest issue facing America. And the far left activist group Students for a Democratic Society has used outrage over the war to recruit tens of thousands of members across the country. But in recent months, the Students for a Democratic Society, or sds, has become deeply divided. Opposing factions had emerged and began tussling for control of the organization. Mark Rudd is a leading member of one of the most powerful groups. They call themselves the Weathermen. Taking their name from a lyric in Bob Dylan's song Subterranean Homesick Blues. The Weathermen follow the ideologies of Che Guevara, the Black Panthers, and the Viet Cong. They believe only urban guerrilla warfare can bring real change to America and that the other factions in the SDS are just getting in their way. But now, though, after days of bitter arguments at the SDS national convention in Chicago, the Weathermen have forced out their rivals in a vote and are ready to take complete control over the organization. So ignoring the chants and jeers of their remaining opponents in the hall, Mark and the other Weathermen elbow their way through the crowd. When they finally make it to the podium, their leader, a young woman named Bernadine dawn, then steps up to the mic. She declares that the Weathermen have taken over at the sds and any members who oppose their coup will be expelled. With this announcement, the Weathermen's takeover of the SDS is complete. And Mark and the others get to work making the organization an even more radical, revolutionary group. Mark begins with a national tour of colleges and campuses, hoping to recruit fighters for what he calls a new revolution. Mark is convinced that direct and if necessary, violent action is the only way to secure change. And he truly believes he can build an army of young men and women who will take up arms and wage war on the US Government. But he has to work quickly because their crusade is set to begin in just a few months time. A large protest has already been scheduled for early October in Chicago as part of the Weatherman's attempts to bring the war home. So as he travels from campus to campus, Mark explains to students that if they attend the demonstration, they will see the power of the masses and they'll understand what people are truly capable of if they are willing to do more than just march and wave signs. Mark and the other Weathermen want the protest in October to be a show of strength. But Mark's passion for his cause has blinded him to reality. Most of the students he talks to don't share his violent radical politics. They may be happy to attend sit ins for civil rights or march in opposition to the war in Vietnam, but few of them support a full communist revolution, and even fewer want to be the ones risking their lives to take up arms against their government. Still, when he returns to Chicago, Mark will tell the rest of the weathermen that his tour has been a huge success. He will claim that thousands of angry young people are waiting to join them for the big rally. Mark will be convinced that not only will the protest be the biggest demonstration the United States has ever seen, it will also kick start a revolution. History Daily is sponsored by Indeed. Back in 1999, I remember reading Bill Gates book Business at the speed of thought. 25 years later and well, the speed of business has only increased. And that includes hiring. You can't sit around waiting for paper resumes to filter in. You need to find quality candidates right now because opportunity waits for no one. Which is why when it comes to hiring, Indeed is all you need. Their sponsored jobs help you stand out and hire fast. They get your post to jump to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster and it makes a huge difference. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed. Listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored credit. To get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com on this day, just go to Indeed.com onthis day right now and support the show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com onthis day terms and conditions apply. Hiring indeed is all you need. With Multiview from Xfinity, you can watch up to four football games at once, which can lead to some tough choices. French toast nibblers or breakfast nachos. Actually, I was thinking about heading out only because I want to beat the traffic. The best part of the sleepovers. The next day I was going to throw the games on Bobby Big Wheels. I mean, how can you call yourself a sports fan without Xfinity? We got the multi view, best college.
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And pro games all in one place.
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I'm not going anywhere. This is how football was meant to be watched. Xfinity. Imagine that. Restrictions apply. Multiview requires Xfinity 4K capable TV box It's just after 9pm on October 8, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, two weeks after Mark Rudd returned from his tour of the nation's campuses. In the center of Chicago's Lincoln Park, Mark gazes into a roaring bonfire. Beside him, a man breaks up a park bench and throws pieces into the blaze with every bit of wood that goes up in smoke. There's a ragged, unenthusiastic cheer from the small crowd huddled around the fire. There are probably only just 150 people in the park. These young men and women have been waiting all day for their numbers to increase. But now that the sun has gone down, it's clear that no one else is joining the Weathermen in their first day of rage. Having spent the last few months trying to recruit as many people as possible for this demonstration, Mark is dejected by the low turnout. He had boasted that thousands, perhaps even tens of thousands, would turn up and that the protest would be the start of a nationwide revolution. But the Weathermen won't be toppling any government tonight with only a few dozen protesters at their side. So as those who have turned up await instructions, Mark stews on what already seems to be an embarrassing failure. He doesn't want to blame himself, though. Instead, he insists he's been let down by others on the left. Many activists and groups he hoped would be at least sympathetic to his cause have publicly criticized the Days of Rage. The Black Panthers have spoken out against the event, and anti war organizers have said that the Weathermen are playing right into the hands of US President Richard Nixon and his conservative allies. By threatening violence and promising a revolution, some say the Weathermen are damaging the entire anti war cause. But for Mark and the hundred or so supporters who have turned up in Chicago, the revolution will continue. Instead of deepening their humiliation by backing down, they will show the country the power of even a small number of determined activists. So at just before 10:30pm One of the leaders of the weathermen pulls out a bullhorn and signals the start of their march. The plan is to head toward the affluent gold coast area of Chicago. Mark won't be joining them. His role tonight is to stay back and organize legal aid for anyone arrested by the police. But student photographer David Fenton is on hand to document every moment. And he is able to witness what begins as chanting, singing and marching, quickly descending into a riot. After the first storefront is smashed in, anarchy is unleashed. The hundred strong crowd carries bats, pipes and clubs, and they set about destroying as much property as they can, with no regard for who owns the houses, stores, and caused the attack. This mayhem lasts for about four blocks before a thick line of police halts the rampage in its tracks. Photographer David finds a vantage point which allows him to capture both sides of the conflict with his lens. The weathermen begin to throw bricks and rocks at the police, who at first just hold their line and don't react. But then things suddenly change. A glass bottle arcs through the air and then shatters on the street. A police officer clicks off his safety and then opens fire. He's soon joined by others, and the street echoes to the sharp pop of gunfire and the screams of fleeing rioters. David runs with them, but he hasn't gone far. When he remembers why he's here, he finds somewhere he thinks will be safe, Then raises his camera once again. And through the viewfinder of his camera, it really does look like war has come to the streets of Chicago. Armed police chase down the weathermen and wrestle them to the ground. Occasionally, an officer gets separated from his colleagues, and then the rioters take their chance to turn the tables. Everywhere David looks is chaos and violence. So by the end of the first night of the days of rage, 28 police officers will have been injured. Six rioters will be in the hospital with gunshot wounds, and a further 68 will be under arrest. But the weathermen won't be deterred by either the disappointing turnout or the violence they've unleashed. Instead, they will take to the streets again the next day and the day after that. The Chicago days of rage will continue. As a small business owner, you know that change is the name of the game. Operational costs, labor markets, tariffs. Wouldn't it be nice if something stayed the same? How about your business Internet rate? Get reliable, secure 5G business Internet from T Mobile for business for $40 a month with a five year price guarantee. When paired with a voice line that's stability you need from the partner you can depend on. Switch now@t mobile.com BI/ taxes and fees guarantee exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See exclusions and details@t mobile.com.
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Get almost anything you need delivered with Uber Eats what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken Parmesan delivered. A little escape? No. A delicious bowl of grapes? Yes, yes, that. An afternoon stroll? Sorry, no. A burrito bowl? Happily, yes. A day of sunshine? No A box of fine wines? Yes, Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol and select market's product availability may vary by region. See app for detail.
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It's October 11, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois. Three days after the Weatherman first took to the streets after 72 hours of riots, Weatherman member Brian Flanagan runs flat out through the main business area of Chicago. Behind him, half a dozen police officers give chase as Brian sprints around the corner of Madison Street. He leaves the police trailing behind and thinks for a moment the moment he's escaped. But that's when Brian sees a businessman in a suit readying himself to become a hero. Taking a run up, the businessman throws his full weight into Brian, who can do little to avoid the tackle, and crashes to the ground with a businessman on top of him. As Brian struggles on the sidewalk, the police catch up, take out their batons and begin beating Brian as he curls up into a fetal position and desperately tries to ward off their blows. Dazed and confused, Brian is then hauled to his feet, thrown into the back of a police wagon and taken away. Brian's arrest comes on the fourth and final day of rage in Chicago. If there had been more protesters, the Weatherman might have stood a better chance of escaping arrest. But outnumbered, they've been easy pickings for the police, and every arrest has cost the radical group more and more money in attorneys fees and bail payments. With their funds fast evaporating, the Weathermen have no option but to call off their violent activities in Chicago. But the failure of their revolution doesn't encourage the Weathermen to change their beliefs. Instead, as they are increasingly shunned by the mainstream left, they radicalize even further. They change their name to the Weather Underground and then begin looking into how to make explosives. In the years that follow, the Weather Underground will be responsible for arson attacks and bombings, including explosions at the U.S. senate Building and the Pentagon. As a result, during the 1970s, the movement's highest profile members will be placed on the FBI's most wanted list. They will go into hiding and remain there until 1980 when the charges against them will be dropped after revelations about illegal wiretaps. This means that none of the Weathermen will face prosecution for the violence in Chicago, which was launched with dreams of a new American Revolution but was exposed as a failure almost as soon as it began on October 8, 1969. If you're interested in hearing the full story of the radical anti war group known as the Weathermen, listen to season 13 of the podcast American the Weather Underground next on History Daily 10.9.19 In 1963, a landslide in Italy triggers a tsunami like wave that kills over 2,000 people and sparks a long legal battle from Noiser and Airship. This is History Daily Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shahzi Sound design by Molly Bach Music by Thrum this episode is written in recent years Search by Owen Paul Nichols Edited by William Simpson Managing Producer Emily Burke Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.
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