Chicago66

National Guard Troops on the streets of Chicago in 1966. This deployment was in response to a series of riots that broke out after a man was arrested on July 12th, 1966 for re-opening a fire hydrant that police had closed after residents opened it during a heat wave. There was sporadic violence and looting until the National Guard was called in on the 15th. They stayed on patrol until the 20th.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Chicago
• 1960s
• Protests

[MIKECNW]

@Johns805 What do you mean it was a bit much?

If the CFD comes and they can't out out a fire, then what?

[kjchicago1]

Check out some of the old Chicago Transit Authority buses(vintage ones)in the video(trolleybuses and old-looks)

[kjchicago1]

@elainebmack And this was in 1966 because none of those aforementioned things existed

[elainebmack]

Look at how stringy and lean the kids are from from 1:10 to 1:54. You can sure tell that this was before junk food, video games, and sedentary lifestyles. No one is fat, including the adults.

[Johns805]

Great video find!!! I can see the authorities getting into a major snit about an open fire hydrant over here in drought country [CA and Western states when it doesn't rain], However, in my hometown Chicago?? I think that was a bit much ...

[harveysuperboy]

The West side of chicago. Where did you find this footage at?

[eltatero]

Wonderful video! Those appear to be Army National Guard troops with bayonets fixed on their M1s.... meaning they were there as a show of force to discourage rioting and looting.