The University of Virginia Miller Center of Public Affairs Presidential Recordings Program has released two new transcribed tapes of conversations between Mayor Richard J. Daley and President Lyndon B. Johnson. The tapes were recorded in early April, 1968, as LBJ ordered federal troops to the city of Chicago to help bring in an end to riots that erupted following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. The two men spoke on April 6, 1968, Mayor Daley telling Johnson, "We're in trouble. We need some help." Lynn Sweet has the audio and transcripts here. more ›

Hope you aren't nursing hangovers from last night's acceptance speech drinking game. more ›

Beginning next Friday, Facets is hosting an unprecedented retrospective of films dealing with the roiling events of the late '60s. In fact there are so many amazing titles included in the lineup that it's a shame we have to settle for a summary. The epicenter of "40 Years After: Filming the '68 Revolution" is Chicago's 1968 Democratic National Convention, when thousands of protesters and police in riot gear clashed on Michigan Avenue. Several programs of vintage shorts by the likes of Kartemquin Films and Tom Pallazolo are featured as well as the crucial semifictional masterwork Medium Cool. It's the definitive look at Richard J. Daley's Chicago. If you haven't seen Medium Cool yet, you'd better be there on Thursday, August 28. more ›