Vietnam War Draft Birthdays

Introduction to the Vietnam War Draft

The Vietnam War draft, also known as the Selective Service System, was a controversial and pivotal aspect of the Vietnam War. The draft was a system where the United States government conscripted young men to serve in the military, with the goal of maintaining a large and capable military force. The draft was based on a lottery system, where birthdays were randomly selected to determine the order in which men would be called to serve. In this post, we will explore the history of the Vietnam War draft, how the lottery system worked, and the impact it had on American society.

History of the Draft

The draft had been in place since World War II, but it was not until the Vietnam War that it became a highly contentious issue. The draft was originally designed to ensure that the military had a steady supply of soldiers, but as the war in Vietnam escalated, the draft became increasingly unpopular. Many young men felt that the war was unjust and that the draft was unfair, as it disproportionately affected certain groups, such as low-income and minority communities.

How the Lottery System Worked

The lottery system was introduced in 1969, with the goal of making the draft more fair and random. The system worked as follows: the government would hold a lottery, where birthdays were randomly selected from a pool of all possible birthdays (January 1 to December 31). The birthdays were then assigned a number, from 1 to 366, with January 1 being number 1 and December 31 being number 366. The lower the number, the higher the likelihood of being called to serve. Men with birthdays that were selected early in the lottery were more likely to be drafted, while those with birthdays that were selected later were less likely to be drafted.

Impact of the Draft on American Society

The draft had a profound impact on American society, particularly among young people. Many young men felt that the draft was unfair and that it was being used to fight an unjust war. Protests against the draft and the war became common, with many young people participating in demonstrations and rallies. The draft also had a disproportionate impact on certain groups, such as low-income and minority communities, who were more likely to be drafted and serve in combat.

👊 Note: The draft also had a significant impact on the mental health of young men, with many experiencing anxiety and stress related to the possibility of being drafted.

Notable Birthdays and Their Corresponding Numbers

The following table shows some notable birthdays and their corresponding numbers in the lottery system:

Birthdate	Number
January 1	1
December 31	366
July 9	191
October 12	286

Key Dates and Events

Some key dates and events related to the Vietnam War draft include: * 1969: The lottery system is introduced, with the first lottery held on December 1. * 1970: Protests against the draft and the war escalate, with many young people participating in demonstrations and rallies. * 1971: The 26th Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. * 1973: The United States ends its involvement in the Vietnam War, and the draft is discontinued.

Legacy of the Draft

The legacy of the draft continues to be felt today, with many Americans still debating the fairness and effectiveness of the system. The draft also had a significant impact on American society, particularly among young people, and played a major role in shaping the course of the Vietnam War.

To summarize the key points, the Vietnam War draft was a highly contentious issue that had a profound impact on American society. The lottery system was introduced in 1969, with the goal of making the draft more fair and random. However, the draft was still seen as unfair by many, particularly among low-income and minority communities. The draft played a major role in shaping the course of the Vietnam War and continues to be felt today.