History of Weather Underground in Timeline
The Weather Underground, initially called Weatherman, was a radical Marxist organization in the U.S. from 1969 to 1977. Emerging from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), their aim was to instigate revolution and overthrow the U.S. government, which they viewed as imperialistic. As the Weather Underground Organization (WUO) from 1970, they sought to form a revolutionary party. The group engaged in violent activities, marking a significant chapter in the history of American radicalism and anti-war movements.
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Washington DC is experiencing a sunny and mild Tuesday before showers and potential storms arrive on Wednesday. Breezy conditions and warmer temperatures are expected.
1916: Publication of Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism
In 1916, Vladimir Lenin's theory of imperialism was first expounded in Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, influencing the Weather Underground's ideology that the struggle was between U.S. imperialism and national liberation struggles.
1960: A third of America's population under 18 years of age
In 1960, over a third of the American population was under 18, setting the stage for widespread revolt against perceived injustices. This led to protests on college campuses and the Weatherman targeting students, believing they would rebel against authority.
1963: Economic Research and Action Project Start
In 1963, the Economic Research and Action Project was launched by the SDS in urban neighborhoods to create an interracial movement of impoverished Americans.
October 1968: Direct Action Advocacy
In October 1968, at the SDS National Council meeting in Boulder, Colorado, a resolution titled "The Elections Don't Mean Shit—Vote Where the Power Is—Our Power Is In The Street", was adopted, reflecting Jacobs' strong advocacy of direct action.
1968: Anti-War Sentiment and SDS Fragmentation
Around the time of the 1968 presidential election, as anti-war sentiment grew, the SDS began to fragment, leading to a split between the "National Office" and the Progressive Labor Party (PLP).
1968: International Events Influence
In 1968, events such as student revolts in France and Mexico City, the Prague Spring, and the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association seemed to support the Weathermen's assertion that worldwide revolution was imminent.
1968: Economic Research and Action Project End
In 1968, the Economic Research and Action Project, initiated by the SDS in 1963, came to an end.
June 1969: Planning of a "National Action"
At the June 1969 convention, the Weathermen faction planned a "National Action" for October, based on the slogan "bring the war home".
June 1969: SDS Convention Confrontation
In June 1969, at an SDS convention in Chicago, the National Office attempted to prevent a takeover by the PLP. Position papers were distributed, including "You Don't Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blows".
June 18, 1969: SDS Convention in Chicago
On June 18, 1969, at an SDS convention in Chicago, the position paper "You Don't Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blows" was distributed, calling for a "White fighting force" to ally with other radical movements.
July 1969: Meeting with North Vietnamese Representatives in Cuba
In July 1969, thirty members of Weathermen leadership traveled to Cuba and met with North Vietnamese representatives to gain from their revolutionary experience, subsequently accepting funding, training, recommendations on tactics and slogans from Cuba.
October 1969: Days of Rage Riot
In October 1969, the Weather Underground's first riot, called the "Days of Rage", took place in Chicago. It was timed to coincide with the trial of the Chicago Seven.
December 1969: Flint War Council decision to go underground
During December 1969, the Flint War Council took place, where the Weather Underground Organization decided to go underground and engage in guerilla warfare against the U.S. government, prompted by increased law enforcement pressure.
December 1969: Group went underground
Following the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion and the December 1969 Flint War Council decisions, the group went underground and began referring to themselves as the Weather Underground Organization.
December 1969: Death of Black Panther members
In December 1969, Black Panther members Fred Hampton and Mark Clark died during a police raid.
December 1969: Police raid on the home of Black Panther Fred Hampton
In December 1969, the Chicago Police Department and the FBI raided the home of Black Panther Fred Hampton, resulting in his death and that of Mark Clark. This event triggered a large number of Weatherman and other students to go underground.
1969: Intensive criticism sessions, forced rotation of sex partners
In 1969, Weathermen members engaged in intensive "criticism self-criticism" sessions to promote solidarity and eliminate "bourgeois individualism." They also launched a "smash monogamy" campaign involving forced rotation of sex partners.
1969: Dissolution of the SDS
In 1969, after the SDS's fragmentation, the Weathermen's adherents claimed themselves to be the true leadership of the organization and retained control of the National Office and at the War Council decided to close the SDS National Office.
1969: Failure of the Days of Rage
In 1969, the Days of Rage failed to involve thousands of youths in massive street fighting, leading Weather to renounce most of the Left and decide to operate as an isolated underground group.
1969: Weather Underground Formation
In 1969, the Weather Underground, originally known as the Weathermen, emerged as a faction within Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).
1969: Emergence of RYM I and Increased Militancy
In the summer of 1969, the National Office of SDS began to split, with RYM I, led by Dohrn, endorsing more aggressive tactics and sympathizing with the Black Panther Party.
February 21, 1970: Molotov cocktails explode in front of Justice Murtagh's home
On February 21, 1970, three gasoline-filled Molotov cocktails exploded in front of the home of New York Supreme Court Justice John M. Murtagh, who was presiding over the pretrial hearings of the so-called "Panther 21" members of the Black Panther Party.
March 6, 1970: Townhouse explosion
On March 6, 1970, a townhouse explosion devastated the New York cell of the Weather Underground.
April 1970: Weathermen meet in California
In late April 1970, members of the Weathermen met in California to discuss what had happened in New York and the future of the organization.
May 4, 1970: City rebuilt the statue
On May 4, 1970, the city rebuilt the statue that was blown up in October 6, 1969 and unveiled it.
May 21, 1970: Weather Underground issued a "Declaration of War"
On May 21, 1970, in response to the death of Black Panther members and the Kent State Shootings, the Weather Underground issued a "Declaration of War" against the United States government, using its new name, the "Weather Underground Organization".
June 9, 1970: Bombing occurred at a New York City police station
On June 9, 1970, the Weather Underground's first publicly acknowledged bombing occurred at a New York City police station.
July 23, 1970: Indictment of 13 Weathermen members
On July 23, 1970, a Detroit federal grand jury indicted 13 Weathermen members in a national bombing conspiracy, along with several unnamed co-conspirators.
September 1970: The group accepted a $25,000 payment
In September 1970, the Weather Underground accepted $25,000 from The Brotherhood of Eternal Love to break Timothy Leary out of prison and transport him and his wife to Algeria.
October 6, 1970: Weathermen blew up the statue as well
On October 6, 1970, the Weathermen blew up the statue that was rebuilt on May 4, 1970 as well.
October 1970: Dohrn was put on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List
In October 1970, Dohrn was put on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List.
December 6, 1970: "New Morning—Changing Weather" Weather Underground communiqué signed by Dohrn
According to the December 6, 1970, "New Morning—Changing Weather" Weather Underground communiqué signed by Dohrn, the fire-bombing of Judge Murtagh's home was carried out by four members of the New York cell that was devastated two weeks later by the March 6, 1970, townhouse explosion.
1970: Weather refuses to renounce revolutionary violence
In 1970, Weather refused to renounce revolutionary violence, asserting that to leave people unprepared to fight the state is to seriously mislead them about the inevitable nature of what lies ahead.
1970: Death of Weatherman Terry Robbins, Diana Oughton and Ted Gold
In 1970, Weatherman members Terry Robbins, Diana Oughton and Ted Gold died in the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion. This incident contributed to a shift in the organization's approach to direct action.
1970: Intensive criticism sessions, forced rotation of sex partners
In 1970, Weathermen members continued to engage in intensive "criticism self-criticism" sessions and a "smash monogamy" campaign involving forced rotation of sex partners, until the group went underground and adopted a more relaxed lifestyle.
1970: Declaration of a State of War
In 1970, the Weather Underground Organization (WUO) issued a "Declaration of a State of War" against the U.S. government.
1970: Estimated number of Weathermen goes underground
In 1970, the federal government estimated that only 38 Weathermen had gone underground, though the estimates varied widely, as between 50 and 600 members.
1970: Weather Underground Organization (WUO) formed
In 1970, the group officially became known as the Weather Underground Organization (WUO), declaring its political aim to overthrow the U.S. government.
March 1, 1971: Bombing of the United States Capitol
On March 1, 1971, the Weather Underground Organization (WUO) bombed the United States Capitol in protest of the U.S. invasion of Laos.
April 1971: Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI breaks into an FBI office
In April 1971, the "Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI" broke into an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, stealing files that detailed the targeting of civil rights leaders, labor rights organizations, and left-wing groups. By the end of April, the FBI offices were to terminate all files dealing with leftist groups. The files were part of an FBI program called COINTELPRO.
1971: COINTELPRO dissolved by J. Edgar Hoover
In 1971, COINTELPRO was dissolved by J. Edgar Hoover, but the FBI continued its counterintelligence on groups like the Weather Underground.
1971: Hampton had been targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO
In 1971, it was discovered that Fred Hampton had been targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO.
May 19, 1972: Bombing of the Pentagon
On May 19, 1972, the Weather Underground Organization (WUO) bombed the Pentagon in retaliation for the U.S. bombing raid in Hanoi.
September 28, 1973: Bombing of ITT Corporation Building
On September 28, 1973, the Weather Underground bombed an ITT Corporation building in New York in retaliation for the company's involvement in the 1973 Chilean coup d'état.
December 1973: Bernardine Dohrn removed from FBI's Ten Most Wanted List
In December 1973, Bernardine Dohrn was removed from the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. Additionally, the government requested dropping charges against most WUO members, citing a Supreme Court decision that barred electronic surveillance without a court order, which would hamper prosecution. Concerns about revealing foreign intelligence secrets also influenced this decision.
1973: Most charges dropped against WUO members
In 1973, most charges had been dropped by the government against WUO members, making the creation of an above-ground organization more feasible.
1973: FBI establishes "Special Target Information Development" program
In 1973, the FBI established the "Special Target Information Development" program, sending agents undercover to penetrate the Weather Underground. Due to the illegal tactics of FBI agents involved with the program, government attorneys requested all weapons- and bomb-related charges be dropped against the Weather Underground.
1973: Peace Accord with Vietnam
In 1973, the U.S. reached a peace accord with Vietnam, leading to the disintegration of the Weather Underground Organization (WUO).
1973: Removal of federal "most-wanted" status against Weather Underground leadership
In 1973, the decisions in grand jury cases led to the removal of federal "most-wanted" status against members of the Weather Underground leadership. These cases also directly led to the subsequent resignation of FBI Director, L. Patrick Gray, and the federal indictments of W. Mark Felt or "Deep Throat" and Edwin Miller.
1974: Van Lydegraf helped write the 1974 Prairie Fire Manifesto
In 1974, Clayton Van Lydegraf helped write the Prairie Fire Manifesto.
1974: Weather details a different strategy for the 1970s
In 1974, Weather recognized a shortcoming and in Prairie Fire detailed a different strategy for the 1970s which demanded both mass and clandestine organizations. The clandestine organization would build the "consciousness of action" and prepare the way for a people's militia, while the mass movement would support and encourage armed action.
1974: Publication of Prairie Fire Manifesto
In 1974, leading members of the Weather Underground (Bill Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn, Jeff Jones, and Celia Sojourn) collaborated with Clayton Van Lydegraf to publish the "Prairie Fire: The Politics of Revolutionary Anti-Imperialism" manifesto. By the summer of 1974, five thousand copies had surfaced in coffee houses, bookstores and public libraries across the U.S. Leftist newspapers praised the manifesto.
January 29, 1975: Bombing of the U.S. State Department
On January 29, 1975, the Weather Underground Organization (WUO) bombed the U.S. State Department in response to the escalation in Vietnam.
February 1, 1976: Matthew Steen interviewed on 60 Minutes
On February 1, 1976, Matthew Steen appeared on CBS's 60 Minutes and was interviewed by Mike Wallace about the ease of creating fake identification, the first ex-Weatherman interview on national television. The segment title was Fake ID.
1976: W. Mark Felt publicly states he ordered break-ins
In 1976, former FBI Associate Director W. Mark Felt publicly stated he had ordered break-ins and that individual agents were merely obeying orders and should not be punished for it. Felt justified the "extralegal" actions as protecting the "greater good" on CBS television program Face the Nation.
1976: FBI estimate of current Weatherman membership
In 1976, or slightly later, an FBI estimate of the current Weatherman membership was down to 30 or fewer.
1976: Weather Underground holds Hard Times conference in Chicago
In 1976, the Weather Underground held a conference in Chicago called Hard Times, intended to create an umbrella organization for all radical groups. The event turned sour when Hispanic and Black groups accused the Weather Underground and the Prairie Fire Committee of limiting their roles in racial issues. The Weather Underground faced accusations of abandonment of the revolution by reversing their original ideology. The conference increased divisions within the Weather Underground.
November 1977: Five WUO members arrested on conspiracy to bomb
In November 1977, five WUO members were arrested on conspiracy to bomb the office of California State Senator John Briggs. It was later revealed that the Revolutionary Committee and the PFOC had both been infiltrated by the FBI for almost six years. FBI agents Richard J. Gianotti and William D. Reagan lost their cover. WUO members Judith Bissell, Thomas Justesen, Leslie Mullin, and Marc Curtis pleaded guilty while Van Lydegraf went to trial.
1977: WUO disbanded by 1977
According to Jeremy Varon, by 1977 the WUO had disbanded. East coast members favored a commitment to violence and challenged the commitments of old leaders, Dohrn, Ayers, and Jones. These older members found they were no longer liable for federal prosecution because of illegal wire taps and the government's unwillingness to reveal sources and methods favored a strategy of inversion where they would be above-ground "revolutionary leaders".
1977: Weather Underground Defunct
By 1977, the Weather Underground was defunct, marking the end of the organization.
January 20, 1978: Mark Rudd turns himself into authorities
On January 20, 1978, Mark Rudd turned himself into authorities, was released on bail, and later pleaded guilty, receiving a fine and probation.
April 10, 1978: Felt, Miller, and Gray charged with conspiracy
On April 10, 1978, a federal grand jury charged Felt, Edward S. Miller, and Gray with conspiracy to violate the constitutional rights of American citizens by searching their homes without warrants.
1979: Government rejects plea bargain offer from Felt and Miller
In 1979, Felt and Miller attempted to plea bargain with the government, willing to agree to a misdemeanor guilty plea to conducting searches without warrants, but the government rejected the offer.
September 18, 1980: Trial against Felt and Miller begins
On September 18, 1980, the case against Felt and Miller went to trial in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
November 6, 1980: Jury returns guilty verdicts for Felt and Miller
On November 6, 1980, the jury returned guilty verdicts for Felt and Miller. Felt was fined $5,000 and Miller was fined $3,500.
December 3, 1980: Dohrn and Ayers turn themselves in
On December 3, 1980, Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers turned themselves in, receiving media coverage. Charges were dropped for Ayers. Dohrn received probation and a fine.
December 11, 1980: Gray's case dropped by the government
On December 11, 1980, Gray's case was dropped by the government for lack of evidence.
October 20, 1981: Brink's armored truck robbery and shootout
On October 20, 1981, former Weather Underground members Kathy Boudin, Judith Alice Clark, and David Gilbert, along with the May 19 Communist Organization and the Black Liberation Army, robbed a Brink's armored truck in Nanuet, New York. The robbery resulted in a shootout and the deaths of Brink's Guard Peter Paige, Police Sergeant Edward O'Grady Jr., and Police Officer Waverly Brown.
1985: Arrests and Sentencings
In 1985, members of the Weather Underground involved with the May 19th Communist Organization and the Black Liberation Army were arrested and sentenced for their involvement in the Brink's robbery and the Resistance Conspiracy case.
1985: May 19th Communist Organization Disbanded
In 1985, the May 19th Communist Organization, which some former members of the Weather Underground joined, disbanded.
2001: Bill Ayers describes the Weatherman group split
According to Bill Ayers, writing in 2001, by the late 1970s, the Weatherman group had further split into two factions—the May 19th Communist Organization and the Prairie Fire Collective—with Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers in the latter. The Prairie Fire Collective favored coming out of hiding and establishing an above-ground revolutionary mass movement.
2001: Grand juries investigate Weather Underground involvement in bombings
In 2001, grand juries were convened to investigate whether the Weather Underground was responsible for the San Francisco Police Department Park Station bombing. In a 2001 New York Times interview, Ayers said, "I don't regret setting bombs."
2001: Ayers objects to terrorist description
In his 2001 book Fugitive Days, Ayers objected to the description of the Weather Underground Organization (WUO) as a terrorist organization.
2004: FBI refers to Weather Underground as a domestic terrorist group
In 2004, the FBI referred to the Weather Underground as a "domestic terrorist group" in a news story titled "Byte out of History" published on its website, stating that it was no longer an active concern.
2006: Dan Berger states Weatherman adopted a new paradigm of direct action
In 2006, Dan Berger stated that after the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion, the Weather Underground adopted a new paradigm of direct action set forth in the communiqué New Morning, Changing Weather, which abjured attacks on people.
2007: Wilkerson's memoir
In 2007, Wilkerson's memoir stated that the fire-bombing of Judge Murtagh's home, in solidarity with the Panther 21, was carried out by four members of the New York cell that was devastated two weeks later by the March 6, 1970, townhouse explosion.
2009: Continued investigation into Weather Underground bombings
In 2009, grand juries continued to investigate whether the Weather Underground was responsible for the San Francisco Police Department Park Station bombing.
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