Picture of the Day and B'days for Oct. 16

Posted October 15, 2008, 9:23 pm

Tommie Smith and Juan Carlos in 1968

Today is Thursday, Oct. 16, the 290th day of 2008.

In 1968, American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos sparked controversy at the Mexico City Olympics by giving "black power" salutes during a victory ceremony to bring attention to the fact that America's civil rights movement had not gone far enough to eliminate the injustices black Americans were facing. In an immediate response to their actions, Smith and Carlos were suspended from the U.S. team by IOC President Avery Brundage and voluntarily moved from the Olympic Village. Brundage, who was president of the United States Olympic Committee in 1936, had made no objections against Nazi salutes during the Berlin Olympics.

Angela Lansbury

Those who opposed the protest said the actions disgraced all Americans. Supporters, on the other hand, praised the men for their bravery. The men's gesture had lingering effects for all three athletes, the most serious of which were death threats against Smith, Carlos and their families.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Angela Lansbury is 83. Former presidential adviser Charles W. Colson is 77. Actor Barry Corbin is 68. Actress Suzanne Somers is 62. Producer-director David Zucker is 61. Actor-director Tim Robbins is 50. Rock musician Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 46.

Picture of the Day: Sometimes it seeems like the world's out to get you.