February 1968
South Carolina Highway Patrol officers opened fire on Black student protesters at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, killing Samuel Hammond Jr. (18), Henry Smith (18), and Delano Middleton (17). Twenty-seven others were wounded, most shot in the back while fleeing. Nine patrolmen were tried and acquitted. The event received little national coverage compared to Kent State two years later.
1,300 Black sanitation workers strike under the banner "I Am A Man" — the cause that brought Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis.
Events
- February 8, 1968South Carolina Highway Patrol Shoots Students at Orangeburg Massacre
South Carolina Highway Patrol officers opened fire on Black student protesters at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, killing Samuel Hammond Jr. (18), Henry Smith (18), and Delano Middleton (17). Twenty-seven others were wounded, most shot in the back while fleeing. Nine patrolmen were tried and acquitted. The event received little national coverage compared to Kent State two years later.
- February 29, 1968Kerner Commission Finds White Racism Cause of Urban Uprisings
The National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (Kerner Commission) issued its report February 29, 1968, concluding: 'Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white — separate and unequal.' It directly attributed urban rebellions to white racism, police brutality, unemployment, and housing segregation. President Johnson largely ignored its recommendations.
- February 29, 1968Kerner Commission Finds White Racism Cause of Urban Uprisings
The National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders concluded: 'Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white, separate and unequal.' It attributed urban rebellions to white racism, police brutality, unemployment, and housing segregation. President Johnson largely ignored its recommendations.
- February 23, 1968Memphis Police Mace Sanitation Strike Marchers Including Women
Memphis police deployed Mace on peaceful marchers supporting striking sanitation workers on February 23, spraying women and ministers. The strike had begun after two Black workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were crushed to death in a garbage truck. MLK came to Memphis in this context and was assassinated there.
- February 23, 1968Memphis Police Mace Sanitation Strike Marchers Including Women and Children
Memphis police deployed Mace against a peaceful march of striking sanitation workers and their supporters on February 23, spraying women and ministers. The action galvanized the community. It was in this context that Martin Luther King Jr. came to Memphis, where he was assassinated on April 4. The strike had begun after two Black workers, Echol Cole and Robert Walker, were crushed to death in a garbage truck.
- February 12, 1968The Memphis sanitation strike
1,300 Black sanitation workers strike under the banner "I Am A Man" — the cause that brought Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis.
- February 29, 1968The Kerner Commission report
A federal commission warns the nation is "moving toward two societies, one black, one white — separate and unequal," and blames white racism.