Almanac: The 1969 draft lottery

As the war in Vietnam raged on and anger about U.S. involvement burned in protests across the country, a lottery was held on December 1, 1969 in order to address perceived inequities in military conscription. Lee Cowan reports.

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[poisonwatersupply]

Knowing my luck, this would be the only lottery i would ever win lol.

[hanseinarfuglum]

THEY TURNED THE HUNGER GAMES INTO A REAL THING

[DonMetcalf]

I remember watching this lottery on TV. It’s the only one I ever won. I was selected 001, September 14th. I had been classified 4F before it took place, but I can tell you, it was a real shocker to say the least. So grateful to be here today.

[dualshockedofficial]

This feels so dystopian. Especially with the conflicts going on today.

[MightyTiki]

In 1969, my dad was already serving in Vietnam, he went on to serve 36 1/2 years active duty. I still find it hard to believe that he was serving with men who fought in World War II and Korea at this point in his life.

[runninbyfaith]

I can't imagine the impending doom the young men and their families felt waiting for that damn drawing and then watching it on tv.... Horrible.

[eldandi]

An unnecessary war. Send the politicians instead.

[jintziejth]

I was away at college in 1969. I watched the draft lottery on TV with my friends. It was so painful. One boy signed up and went to Vietnam withou

[akui]

i am gonna guess this is the only lottery many didn't want to win!

[donaldjones]

I was number 26. I was a grunt in Vietnam 1971

[marksanchez]

What an awful system. They should have polled eligible men to see if they supported or opposed the war and then started with those that supported it. There's a reason we've had a volunteer military for the last 5 decades

[fenian]

Hey Dale, your birthday is number one! Dale? Dale? Hey has anyone seen Dale?? he was just here!

[onwheels]

That was the year my favorite uncle was drafted into the Marines..
When I started my military career and I first deployed in Operation Just Cause and came home safe, he was the first to welcome me home. He was the first to send me letters, other than Mom and Dad.. We weren't there long but the mail caught up to us in Ft. Benning after Just cause..
After that, uncle Mark always always wanted to wish me home in my many deployments.
Well, Welcome Home Uncle Mark, I know your generation suffered unspeakable disrespect when you came home.
11B 1985-2009 11Z Retired US ARMY Sky Soldier.

[komori]

I was just looking for the Kareem Abdul Jabbar draft.

[TheAhmedmajeed]

I was born on September 14 1997…. If I was back than… I will be the first wave!

[marknagle]

I had just turned 9 that year. Nixon ended the draft in '73, thankfully. I remember having to register with SS in 1980, when Carter started the register requirement. He sure made a lot of us young men nervous. To all of those who served, you have my respect.

[NicLuc]

This must have been horrible to watch. What a crazy, torturous process to televise.

[WickedlyMe]

My uncle was 364 May 5th. My dad and his brother were also high numbers and never would’ve been selected. They all volunteered

[PrimarisBlackTemplaDraven]

I would joined the Navy so I could come back alive

[RJCcj]

March 14th is number 354. I served anyway.