Today in 1968, the Democratic National Convention began in Chicago. One of the most protested conventions in history, thousands descended on the area around the convention to protest the Vietnam War.

As the Democratic National Convention gets underway in Chicago, thousands of antiwar demonstrators take to Chicago’s streets to protest the Vietnam War and its support by the top Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Hubert Humphrey. During the four-day convention, the most violent in U.S. history, police and National Guardsmen clashed with protesters outside the International Amphitheater, and hundreds of people, including innocent bystanders, were beaten by the Chicago police. The violence even spilled into the convention hall, as guards roughed up delegates and members of the press, including CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, who was punched in the face. On August 29, Humphrey secured the nomination and the convention ended.

Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/democratic-convention-besieged-by-protesters

Earlier in the week, on August 23rd, Abbie Hoffman and several other protestors nominated Pigasus as their candidate for President.

Pigasus was a 145-pound (66-kg) domestic pig that was nominated for President of the United States as a theatrical gesture by the Youth International Party (Yippies) On August 23, 1968, just before the opening of the Democratic National Convention. At a rally announcing his candidacy, Pigasus was seized by Chicago policemen and several of his Yippie backers were arrested for disorderly conduct.

Source: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Pigasus_(politics)

And you thought this election year was crazy …