A DAY IN 68 PART 4

By Museum of the Purpose of the Object

Museum of the Purpose of the Object

The year of 1968 was a turning point for Mexican society. In this year great events occurred that shaped the modern Mexican identity in several spheres: from the technological to the social participation, passing through the economy, culture and entertainment. In these series we will explore some aspects of the everyday life in the late 60s.

Protesta Estudiantil en París (detalle) (1968) by Revista LifeMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

Street, city and youth

In 1968 several student movements shook the Western world, from the United States, Prague, Paris, London and Turin, turning the street into a space of protest and visibility for social discontent: a reflection of the generational boredom, the repression of freedoms and the violence of war.

Protesta Estudiantil en París (detalle) (1968) by Revista LifeMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

During the May 1968 events, workers and unions students gathered in a strike of more than 9 million workers.

Estudiantes de la Sorbona (detalle) (1968) by Revista LifeMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

Grabado (1968) by Movimiento estudiantil del 68.Museum of the Purpose of the Object

The events of 1968 in Mexico are considered a watershed in the contemporary history of the country.

Paracaidistas arrestan a estudiante (1968) by Revista LifeMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

The student movement of '68 sought the questioning of the political system and received repression and massacre.

Cancionero Estudiantil de Protesta (1968) by Ed. E.N.C.B.Museum of the Purpose of the Object

The List of demands of the Consejo General de Huelga (National Council of Strike) contained several points, the first, requested the repeal of articles 145 and 145b of the Penal Code ...

... which punishes any person who attends meetings that attempt against public order.

The second point called for the abolition of the body of Granaderos, which is a section of the Mexican police specialized in anti-riot operations.

La Balada del Granadero (1968) by Víctor Blanco LabraMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

Debate público. Cartel. (1968) by Tribuna Nacional de la JuventudMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

Boleto (1968) by Consejo Nacional de HuelgaMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

The other points of the petition called for the release of political prisoners and the dismissal of the police chief, Luis Cueto and Deputy Chief of Police Raul Mendiolea.

Gran Manifestación Silenciosa. Volante (1968) by Consejo Nacional de HuelgaMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

Grabado (1968) by Movimiento estudiantil del 68Museum of the Purpose of the Object

After the massacre, the credibility of Mexican political institutions was greatly affected, and the event entered the tragic and traumatic memory of Mexicans.

Protesta Estudiantil en México (detalle) (1968) by Revista LifeMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

Much of the graphic used in the protests was elaborated in the Old Academy of San Carlos and in the National School of Painting, Sculpture and Engraving "La Esmeralda".

Grabado (1968) by Movimiento estudiantil del 68Museum of the Purpose of the Object

Plaza de las tres Culturas. Fotografía (1968) by Paolo GoriMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

The Plaza de las Tres Culturas, located within the Conjunto Urbano Nonoalco - Tlatelolco, north of Mexico City, was the scene of the massacre.

2 de octubre, Tlatelolco (1968) by Revista LifeMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

Much of the photographic material of the reporters present was confiscated or destroyed.

Detención en masa de estudiantes (1968) by Revista LifeMuseum of the Purpose of the Object

After the massacre there were massive arrests of young people.

Grabado (1968) by Movimiento estudiantil del 68Museum of the Purpose of the Object

The movement of 1968 in México became a political, cultural and moral phenomenon, which marked the beginning of a long struggle for human rights, social freedoms and the questioning of the ruling power.

Credits: Story

MODO Team:

Antonio Soto, Arely Chong, Carlos Gónzalez, Daniel Cervantes, Diego Salgado, Edmundo Vargas, Javier Ávalos, Jonathan Torres, Lizbeth Chavez, Mariana Pérez, Martín Cruz, Natalia Cheng, Paulina Newman, Piedad Romero y Rosario Luna.

Selection and texts by Antonio Soto
Museo del Objeto del Objeto © 2018

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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