‹‹ #5 1976 RNC - Ronald Reagan

#3 1968 DNC - Chicago Riots ››

After proposing a civil rights amendment to the party platform at the 1948 Democratic convention in Philadelphia, Senate candidate and Minneapolis Mayor Hubert H. Humphrey delivered a speech in support of racial integration -- a clear defiance of Southern party leaders -- leading to a walkout by the Dixiecrats. Humphrey's actions at the '48 convention helped successfully add a civil rights plank to the party's platform.

"There are those who say to you - we are rushing this issue of civil rights. I say we are 172 years late. There are those who say - this issue of civil rights is an infringement on states rights. The time has arrived for the Democratic party to get out of the shadow of state's rights 3 and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights."

(Click on the picture for an audio link and full text of the speech.)

‹‹ #5 1976 RNC - Ronald Reagan

#3 1968 DNC - Chicago Riots ››