This Week in History

October 21-22, 1967, Anti-Vietnam war protesters rallied to Washington D.C. The Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam organized the protest seeking national visibility for the anti-war movement. At the Pentagon, protective efforts were made by the military. Military Police encircled the facility. U.S. Marshals were on hand to arrest any intruders. Inside the Pentagon, were several thousand-armed Army troops. It was unknown what action the protesters would take.

That early evening, a mass estimated at thirty-five thousand protesters headed to the Pentagon. A small group stormed the Pentagon which led to an all-out riot lasting through the night. The violence was real with objects being thrown and rifle butts used in defense. Marshals began arresting people. Arrests totaled 682 and 47 people were injured -- protesters, soldiers and Marshals. By the morning, some protesters remained as workers started the clean-up of rubble from the riot. The Vietnam War officially ended April 30, 1975 with the fall of Saigon.

Source(s): GlobalSecurity.org & others

Compiled by Bob Valen