During their medal ceremony in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City on October 16, 1968, two African-American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, each raised a black-gloved fist during the playing of the US national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". While on the podium, Smith and Carlos, who had won gold and bronze medals respectively in the 200-meter running event of the 1968 Summer Olympics, turned to face the US flag and then kept their hands raised until the anthem had finished. In addition, Smith, Carlos, and Australian silver medalist Peter Norman all wore human-rights badges on their jackets.
Tommie Smith and John Carlos are ejected from the US Olympic team for participating in the Olympics Black Power salute.
On October 16, in the year 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos are ejected from the US Olympic team for participating in the Olympics Black Power salute. This event is recorded as a Historical Events event in the history of October 16, one of 493 recorded events on this date across all of history.
Key Facts
- This event took place on October 16, 1968 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Historical Events event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 31 August 2026.
On This Date in History 493
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