Mexico City held the Olympics in the tumultuous year of 1968. Among the celebration and goodwill during the games was the shocking memory of 200 demonstrators who were killed by surrounding tanks in the Plaza de las Tres Culturas as they protested the government’s use of funds for the games instead of social programs. Also, during the victory ceremony of the 200-meter dash, Tommie Smith (gold) and John Carlos (bronze), wearing black gloves and no shoes, controversially raised their fists, as signs of protest against racial discrimination.

View Today's Pictures on Slate

...