Michigan State Mascot is Kidnapped by UNIVERSITY of MICHIGAN men in 1967
SPARTY "Changes Colors" and is on the Michigan sideline during THE GAME, October 14. When he returns to MSU, he is fired and replaced.
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TUMULTUOUS TIMES
1967 was a TUMULTUOUS TIME!
As Bob Dylan sang in 1964: "The Times, They Are a-Changin" (video 3:03)
The "STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY" was 100 years old, but change began accelerating in 1954.
It began with Supreme Court cases, then Boycotts, Sit-Ins, Marches, and Freedom Rides.
The "STRUGGLE" was non violent at first.
The response was: Bombings, Burnings, Killings, and Police Dogs.
The "AFRICAN-AMERICAN REVOLUTION PARTY", also known as the BLACK PANTHER PARTY was formed in 1966, a year after President LBJ began sending 2,709,918 college age men to fight the VIETNAM WAR.
1967 was the "SUMMER OF LOVE" and the SUMMER of "INSURRECTION." (video 1:49).
The first Race Riot was in Cleveland in AprIl.
There were 159 cities which experienced Race Riots in 1967, including most major cities.
The two most severe were in Newark, New Jersey and Detroit, Michigan.
Many people refer to these riots as a REBELLION or INSURRECTION.
Paratroops and tanks were needed to end the violence.
PLEASE READ, CLICK, and ENJOY
This site attempts to convey the essence of the 1960s. "The Greatest College Prank of All time" was our attempt to bring back some levity and sanity into what seemed like a nation disintegrating.
We include a page for the 1950s and a page for each year of the 1960s.
We include 20 links to videos of news events and SIGNIFICANT songs of the time.
What follows is meant to be an entertaining HISTORY LESSON.
We suggest viewing the site in its entirety, then come back and click all of the links.
1967 in Pictures
The KIDNAPPING
A: UNIVERSITY of MICHIGAN FRATERNITY MEN RESPOND to the "Changin times"
The University of MICHIGAN was the birthplace (1960) of the socialist organization Students for a Democratic Society. It was the sight of the first Anti-Vietnam War "TEACH IN" (1965).
AND, IT WAS ONLY 40 MILES FROM DETROIT. Ann Arbor WAS GROUND ZERO of Dylan's 1964 song
"The Times, They Are A-Changin
"Five conservative engineering students respond with a "good old fashion college prank."
B: The KIDNAPPING & TOUCHDOWN BELL
Some of the KIDNAPPERS decide to "borrow" MSU's TOUCHDOWN BELL
C: BREAKING NEWS
"He's 5 foot tall with a big nose. Last seen wearing a green helmet with green and white plumes"
D: The Misdirection & the Bounty
Advertisement in MSU student newspaper, the STATE NEWS:
FOUND ONE UGLY GREEN & WHITE HEAD, answers to the name "Sparty" with the phone number of MSU's next opponent: University of Wisconsin.
E: The PRESS CONFERENCE & The MEDIA FRENZY
One of many news articles reporting that Sparty is a "guest" of University of Michigan students.
The KIDNAPPING
F: EXCITEMENT MOUNTS
Both the AP, Associated Press, and UPI, United Press International, repeated the story of Sparty "changing sides."
News articles appeared nation wide.
G: The PEP RALLY & GAME DAY
The Maize & Blue "Wolveriney" (formerly known as "Sparty") is about to enter the field inside "the Big House" while the band played "HAIL TO THE VICTORS." (1:10).
H: POST GAME REPORTING
"The crowd of 103,210 roared when the men of Delta Sigma Phi brought the Maize & Blue Wolveriney into MICHIGAN STADIUM just before kickoff."
I: The Telegram
The original custodians of Sparty, the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at MSU, get poetic revenge against the perpetrators of The Greatest College Prank of All Time.
J: ON LINE STORE .
POSTER, SHIRTS, HATS, MUGS & MORE.
Design your own gear by selecting any two of six choices (including our "WOLVERINE LOGO" )
TUMULTUOS 50s & 60s
L: 1950s QUEST for EQUALITY
The QUEST for EQUALITY began peacefully in the 1950s with lawsuits and boycotts leading to major victories. The victories were met with resistance and violence. By the end of the decade, the QUEST FOR EQUALITY had accelerated and so had the violent responses.
M: 1960s: The decade of ASSASSINATIONS, VIETNAM WAR, PROTESTS, MARCHES & REBELLION
N: On The EVE of 1968
The GREATEST COLLEGE PRANK of ALL TIME was a short diversion; in a matter of months historic tragedies would resume:
3 months The TET OFFENSIVE
6 months Martin Luther King, Jr
would be assassinated
8 months Robert Kennedy would be
assassinated
O: SUMMARY of the 1960s
The 60s: The Years that shaped a generation
A PBS Documentary which accurately reflects the tines which inspired the Men of Delta Sigma Phi to conceive , "That masterful plan that was carried out so brilliantly."
.
The MUSIC THAT SHAPED A GENERATION
P: BOB DYLAN
"There is not a bigger giant in the history of American music." said President Obama as he presented Dylan the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM in 2012. In 20__ . Bob received NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACE.
Q: NEGRO SPIRITUALS & GOSPEL
Music helped transform America.
"Negro Spirituals," and Gospel Songs were popularized in the 1950's and 1960's leading to a new type of music: FOLK This inspired not only Bob Dylan but a host of others
S: FOLK
T: ANTI WAR
U: PSYCHEDELIC
.