American Experience Season 18 Episode 1 Two Days in October

In American Experience season 18 episode 1, viewers are taken back to the late 1960s during the height of the Vietnam War. The episode, titled "Two Days in October," focuses on two pivotal moments in American history: the first is the controversial decision by Democratic presidential candidate Hubert Humphrey to skip out on a Vietnam War protest rally, and the second is the disastrous Battle of Hill 484 in Vietnam.

The episode begins by setting the stage of the political climate in America during 1968. The war in Vietnam was escalating, and the draft had become a hot-button issue among young Americans who were being sent to fight and die in a war they didn't necessarily support. Anti-war protests were increasing, and the Democratic National Convention was looming. The episode introduces key players in the story, including Humphrey, Vice President at the time, and his opponent, Republican Richard Nixon.

The first of the two days in October that the episode focuses on is October 7th. Anti-war activists had planned a protest rally in Chicago, and Humphrey had plans to make a speech at the same time. The police were out in full force, and tensions were high. What followed was a violent clash between protesters and police that continued over several days. The episode explores the events leading up to the clash, including the so-called "Days of Rage" organized by the radical Weather Underground group, which resulted in storefronts being smashed and windows being smashed.

What is particularly fascinating about the episode is the way it presents both sides of the story. On one hand, protesters felt passionately about the war and believed that their voices needed to be heard. On the other hand, police and politicians felt that the protests were a threat to public safety and needed to be contained. There are interviews with activists who were present at the rally, as well as police officers who were on duty that day.

The second day the episode focuses on is October 14th, when the Battle of Hill 484 occurred in Vietnam. This was a significant battle because it was one of the first times that the Viet Cong were able to defeat a unit of the United States Marine Corps. The episode explores what happened during the battle, as well as the aftermath. Through interviews with soldiers who fought in the battle and family members of those who were killed, viewers get a sense of just how devastating the battle was.

What is particularly interesting about the episode is the way it weaves these two seemingly unrelated events together. On one hand, there is the protest rally in Chicago, which highlights the growing divide between Americans over the Vietnam War. On the other hand, there is the Battle of Hill 484, which shows the reality of the war on the ground in Vietnam. By juxtaposing these two events, the episode creates a nuanced portrayal of the Vietnam War and the impact it had on American society as a whole.

Overall, "Two Days in October" is a gripping and informative episode of American Experience. It provides a compelling account of two pivotal moments in American history and shows just how interconnected they were. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in American politics and history.