Chaos explodes in May of 1970 when Nixon orders troops into Cambodia and student protestors are killed at Kent State.

"Nixon Orders Troops To Enter Cambodia"

The placement of this story on the front page, top left corner speaks to the priority and attention it received at the university. The Cavalier Daily, May 1, 1970

"Four Students Killed in Kent State Riots"

The Cavalier Daily article captures the rising student violence spurned by Nixon's decision to send troops into Cambodia. The Cavalier Daily, May 5, 1970

"Bulletin"

This bulletin details the first night of protest: from the meeting on the steps of the Rotunda to the march on Carr's Hill to the occupation of Maury Hall. It also frames the delicacy with which Shannon treats the student's rage. The Cavalier Daily, May 5, 1970

Announcement of Kent State Memorial

Shannon, knowing how deeply saddened and outraged students are following the shooting of four students at Kent State University by National Guardsmen, plans a memorial service for students to pay homage to this senseless loss of lives. Shannon and Student Council President James Roebuck coordinate these efforts, but shortly after this event, you see the two men juggling different demands from different arenas. Roebuck does his best to air student rage to administrators and state officials, while Shannon tries to maintain order and appease the interests of the state. President's Papers, 1969-70

"Virginia Strike Committee Urges University Shutdown"

This article paints the scene of student unrest nationwide. UVa received pressure from campus student leaders across the country. The University did, however, remain open throughout the entire time. The Cavalier Daily, May 5, 1970

"Students Chose to Extend Strike To Monday"

All of the articles in this day's paper suggest student support of continued protests waned at this point in the week. Disagreements about leadership of the protests and Rubin's radical address are but two of the causes for the fading of the movement. The Cavalier Daily, May 8, 1970

"Kunstler Sparks Maury Take-Over"

This article details the events following Kunstler and Rubin's address. Only a burning mattress caused students to give up their occupation of Maury Hall. An incohesive agenda prevented the crowd from bombarding President Shannon's home. Some 9,000 attended the Kunstler and Rubin address; of those, 2,000 marched to Maury Hall while 200 actually occupied it. The Cavalier Daily, May 7, 1970

Kunstler and Rubin

Radical Jerry Rubin and ACLU lawyer William Kunstler spoke at the University during May Days in 1970. The student audience packs University Hall to hear the anti-war messages of these leaders. May 6, 1970

Jerry Rubin: Far Left of Center

William Kunstler's moderate speech denouncing the war moved many students who had not previously felt the convictions of the anti-war movement. Rubin's radical, maddening speech following that of Kunstler seemed to alienate many students in attendance. Some speculate that if the two had spoken in reverse order, the University might have experienced more protests following that night's lecture. May 6, 1970

"Maury Hall" / "Keep Cool"

This editorial details the power play between impassioned students, established student leaders, radical student leaders, the president and state leaders. The balances of power will continue to be disrupted throughout this intense period of protest. The Cavalier Daily, May 6, 1970

Burned Mattress

One of the first stops for student protesters during May Days was Maury Hall, the ROTC building. Rumors speculate that this mattress was lit on fire by some administrators trying to remove students from the sit-in in Maury Hall without having to drag them out by force. May 7, 1970

ROTC Takes The Blame

Students stormed the ROTC building during May Days in 1970. The training grounds for Vietnam soldiers received the brunt of student dissent as poignantly captured in this graffiti message. May 7, 1970

Shannon's Address

President Edgar Shannon assumed quite a unique role for a University president during student protests in May 1970. In an address to thousands of students, he openly denounced Nixon's decision to send troops into Cambodia and drafted a letter to VA congressmen expressing this sentiment. While this earned him much criticism from VA legislators and BOV members, it gained him much respect from students. Some speculate that his empathy with the students' conviction maintained the relative peace the University enjoyed during this tumultuous time. May 10, 1970

Sea of Students

These photos taken of one of the many Lawn demonstrations during May of 1970 shows the widespread participation as compared to earlier demonstrations against the war in Vietnam. The murder of Kent State students brought a sense of urgency home to many students, students who had not adamantly opposed the war prior to this point. The protests of 1970 attracted a larger student following than many previous demonstrations.May 6, 1970

Shannon's speech on May 10, 1970

In front of a crowd of 4,000 students on the Lawn, President Edgar Shannon delivers his most famous speech. While he spends the first part of the lengthy delivery addressing the events of the week and admonishing the students for their disrespect of University property, he ends the speech with a statement that earns him the respect of the student body. He expressed his dismay over the continuation of the war and Nixon's decision to send more troops to Cambodia, causing the disillusionment of America's youth. This speech earns him the criticism of state officials and the praise of his students. May 10, 1970

Headquarters

50 East Lawn became the headquarters for protest during May Days. Students reported here for anti-war information and to find out about the day's events. May 15, 1970

"President Clarifies Position On Strike-Oriented Issues"

President Shannon addresses the state of the University and shares that information with media sources around the state. The details he provides shows his sensitivity to the students' fragile needs and demands. The Cavalier Daily, May 15, 1970

"Shannon Phones Byrd, Appeals War Views"

This article tells of the first of President Shannon's addresses during the week. He recognizes the validity of student dissent, details that in a letter to VA senators and arranges for student leaders to meet with VA senators. His address gets a broad ranging response. Some cheer; others boo. The Cavalier Daily, May 7, 1970

"Shannon Urges Prompt Action To End War"

In Shannon's famous speech in front of an audience of 4,000 students, he denounced Nixon's decision to send troops into Cambodia causing further alienation in the youth of America. It's important to note, however, that only this portion of his speech received support from the students.

In a letter to VA congressmen (also on this page), Shannon urges the senators to seek means of ending the war in Vietnam in hopes of alleviating the alienation of youth. The Cavalier Daily, May 11, 1970

"The President Speaks"

In these editorials, CD editors capture the student anger against state and local police for arresting the demonstrating students. They also praise Shannon's stance, endorse the University's remaining open and petition for the right not to take exams. The Cavalier Daily, May 11, 1970

"Man In The Middle"

This editorial captures the difficult position of President Shannon. He is being influenced by the conservative state leadership who expect him to take a firmer control of the students, but he sympathizes with the students' frustration about the war. The editorial echoes the respect students had for Shannon for the risk he took in expressing his disapproval of expanding the war into Cambodia. The Cavalier Daily, May 13, 1970

"Shannon Casts His Lot With University"
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This article captures the complicated relationship between Shannon and the University to the governor and taxpayers. Governor Holton seems to threaten removal of state support if order is not restored at the University. The security of Shannon's job is also in question. The Cavalier Daily, May 13, 1970

"In Defense Of Shannon"

As Shannon's leadership is questioned by state leaders, students begin speaking in his defense. The Cavalier Daily, May 14, 1970

"An Appeal"

Some professors failed to comply with Shannon's directive to make allowances for students participating in strikes. The Cavalier Daily, May 12, 1970

"The Referendum" / "Alumni Alarm"

The first editorial uses the number of students voting to continue the strike as well as the number of students who signed the petition drafted by President Shannon. With the large amount of support, leaders acknowledged they needed a new direction for the demonstrating students.

It's very interesting to note that the Alumni Association, not University Adminstrators, contacted student parents about the anti-war activity at the University. The Cavalier Daily, May 12, 1970

"68% of Voters Approve Continuation of Strike | Students OK Six Demands; Reject Three"

Referendum ballot gages varying student opinions about the war and other social concerns such as the admission of blacks and women. Suprisingly, students fall left of the middle in their opinions. Again, students are using their disapproval of the Vietnam war as a launching pad to express disgust over other social injustices. The Cavalier Daily, May 15, 1970

No Limits

Students defaced the hallway to the Rotunda with spray paint. May 15, 1970

State Police Arrive

After VA's governor declared the Virginia State Riot Act, prohibiting more than two students to gather together, he sent state police to the University to enforce the temporary law. Officers set up camp at University Hall in the photograph. date

"Police Chase Students On Lawn, In Houses; Sixty-Eight Arrested Under Virginia Riot Act"

This article details the arrest of 68 students who retreated to the Lawn after a standoff with state police. The Cavalier Daily, May 11, 1970

"Senior Class Meeting Ends In Chaos"

Some confusion surrounded the shape and size of the University's graduation on June 7 given the chaos preceding the final exercises. The Cavalier Daily, May 14, 1970

"Senior Class Referendum Results"

Due to the disillusionment and exhaustion of May Days in the spring of 1970, graduating fourth-years knew that tapering the Final Exercises might be recommended. This referendum ballot polls the interests of graduating students regarding speakers and parties for graduation. As the poll indicated, students are far too disillusioned to plan to participate in the full-blown festivities of graduation. President's Papers, 1969-70