Chicago, IL- (July 30, 2018) In a year full of explosive political clashes, deep government distrust and violent tragedy that unfolded on American streets 50 years ago this August, the Democratic Party took the national stage in Chicago to nominate their presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention. The assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, combined with a virulent anti-war movement and the shock of President Lyndon Johnson’s decision not to seek re-election, were all kindling to a convention already poised to be a powder keg. The spark that would later ignite the city and horrify the country may have been inevitable, says “Decades Presents 1968: The DNC,” a new documentary from DECADES that weaves together the powerful story of this monumental political event of the 20th century from those who were there. “Decades Presents 1968: The DNC” premieres Monday, Aug. 6 at 9pm ET 6pm PT, and is the eighth installment of DECADES TV Networks’ 12-part series “Decades Presents: 1968.”
“What went on inside that convention was reflective of what was going on in the country.”
– Bill Daley, son of Mayor Richard J. Daley
The eighth installment of DECADES TV Networks’ 12-part series “Decades Presents: 1968,” Decades Presents 1968: THE DNC recounts the events of that week via the leadership of the anti-war movement, members of the Chicago police department, Democratic delegates at the convention and members of the media. Featuring interviews with Rennie Davis, Bill Kurtis, Bill Daley, Peter Yarrow and members of the Chicago Police, the documentary bears witness to the convention that fundamentally changed how America selects its leadership.
“The whole thing was an American tragedy of enormous consequence not only to the present, but to the future.”
– Newt Minow, Alternate Democratic Delegate 1968
Americans were shocked by what unfolded live on their television screens across the 4-day convention. CBS Reporter Dan Rather was punched live on air by security inside the convention. Activist Don Rose remembers the streets turned blood red. Steve Zucker, Counsel for the City, recalls the trampling of an American flag as the catalyst for police aggression. Peter Yarrow (of the band Peter, Paul and Mary) recounts trying to keep peace between the National Guard and student protesters by playing music all night at The Hilton Hotel.
“This was the collapse, to us, of our democracy… They were splitting skulls.”
– Peter Yarrow, Peter, Paul and Mary
Even 50 years on, there is no single agreed-upon narrative between those who witnessed the national spectacle. The archive footage tells its own story. “Decades Presents 1968: THE DNC” creates illustrative and dynamic television – bringing to life a defining event in modern American history.
“Decades Presents 1968: The DNC” premieres on Monday, Aug. 6 at 9 pm ET, with encore presentations on Friday, Aug. 17 at 10pm ET; Saturday, Aug. 25 at 9 am ET; and Tuesday, Aug. 28 at Midnight ET. For more on interviews, web extras and “Where to Watch” please go www.decades.com
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DECADES, the multicast TV network from Weigel Broadcasting Co. and CBS Television Stations is available nationwide.
In May of 2015, the DECADES Network launched on the digital sub-channels of the CBS Television Stations and other broadcast groups. The network is currently available in 67% of the country. The DECADES weekday schedule features “Television Across the DECADES” with beloved sitcoms spanning the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s airing each day. Viewers can also enjoy the comedy, variety, and talk of Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, The Very Best of The Ed Sullivan Show and The Dick Cavett Show. Original programming includes the one-hour daily series Through the Decades, hosted by award-winning journalist Bill Kurtis, as well as specials including the DECADES Presents: 1968 series. And each weekend we present The DECADES Binge, continuous episodes of TV favorites airing back to back.
