Time Line of 1968 Democratic Presidential Primary

Despite the level of public opposition to the Vietnam War, no prominent Democratic candidate would oppose LBJ. That changed, however, on

12 March, 1968

Senator Eugene McCarthy (MN) running on an anti-war platform and supported by thousands of young college students ringing doorbells in New Hampshire garners 42% of the primary vote to Johnson's 49%.

This showing turned McCarthy into a viable contender and gave notice of the incumbent vulnerability. McCarthy's momentum changed, however, on

16 March, 1968

Senator Robert Kennedy (NY) announced his candidacy, infuriating McCarthy's supporters who felt betrayed and vowed to defeat Kennedy. Wikipedia notes:

Thereafter McCarthy and Kennedy would engage in an increasingly bitter series of state primaries; although Kennedy won most of the primaries, he could never shake McCarthy and his devoted following of antiwar activists, which included many Hollywood celebrities such as Paul Newman, Barbra Streisand, and Burt Lancaster.

31 March, 1968

LBJ announces his withdrawal from the campaign.

4 April, 1968

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King is assassinated in Memphis.

7 May, 1968

Indiana primary