Smith and Carlos Raise Fists: Olympic Protest
Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood on the medal podium at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics on October 16 and raised black-gloved fists during the American national anthem. Smith wore a black scarf for Black pride. Carlos wore a bead necklace 'for those who were lynched.' Both went shoeless to represent Black poverty. Australian silver medalist Peter Norman wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge in solidarity. The International Olympic Committee demanded the U.S. team expel Smith and Carlos. They were sent home within 48 hours. Norman was ostracized by the Australian Olympic establishment for the rest of his life. Smith and Carlos both received death threats and struggled professionally for years. The image of their raised fists became one of the most iconic photographs of the twentieth century.
October 18, 1968
58 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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