History of Weather Underground in Timeline
The Weather Underground, initially called Weatherman, emerged in 1969 from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the University of Michigan. Renamed Weather Underground Organization (WUO) in 1970, this far-left Marxist group aimed to overthrow the U.S. government, which it viewed as imperialist. They sought to create a revolutionary party to achieve this goal. The group's activities represent a period of radical political activism and unrest within the United States.
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1916: Lenin expounded theory of imperialism
In 1916, Lenin expounded his theory of imperialism in Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism, which formed the basis for Weatherman theory.
1960: America's youth set the stage for revolt
In 1960, over a third of America's population was under 18, which contributed to a widespread revolt against perceived racism, sexism, classism, the Vietnam War, and American interventions abroad. College campuses became hotbeds for both peaceful and violent protests against "the Establishment."
1963: SDS undertakes Economic Research and Action Project
In 1963, the SDS undertook the Economic Research and Action Project in Northern urban neighborhoods. This project aimed to create an interracial movement of the poor.
1966: PLP presence at SDS convention
In 1966, members of the Progressive Labor Party (PLP) began to make their presence known at the SDS convention. The PLP sought to recruit new members from SDS, viewing it as fertile ground.
August 1968: Democratic National Convention protests
The success of the Democratic National Convention protests in August 1968 prompted the resolution drafted by Jacobs and introduced at the October 1968 SDS National Council meeting in Boulder, Colorado.
October 1968: "Elections Don't Mean Shit—Vote Where the Power Is—Our Power Is In The Street" resolution adopted
In October 1968, at the SDS National Council meeting in Boulder, Colorado, a resolution drafted by Jacobs titled "The Elections Don't Mean Shit—Vote Where the Power Is—Our Power Is In The Street" was adopted. It was prompted by the success of the Democratic National Convention protests.
1968: PLP affects SDS
By 1968, the Progressive Labor Party (PLP) would profoundly affect SDS, particularly at national gatherings of the membership, forming a well-groomed, disciplined faction which followed the Progressive Labor Party line.
1968: Anti-war sentiment during U.S. presidential election
During the 1968 U.S. presidential election, anti-war sentiment was particularly strong due to escalating U.S. military action in Southeast Asia, especially in Vietnam.
1968: End of SDS Economic Research and Action Project
In 1968, the SDS Economic Research and Action Project came to an end. Some SDS members concluded that community organizing and electoral politics were insufficient for deep social change, advocating for more radical tactics.
1968: International events supporting Weathermen
In 1968, various international events, such as student revolts in France and Mexico City, the Prague Spring, and the emergence of the Tupamaros, seemed to support the Weathermen's assertion that worldwide revolution was imminent.
July 1969: Weatherman leadership meets with North Vietnamese representatives in Cuba
In July 1969, 30 members of Weatherman leadership traveled to Cuba and met with North Vietnamese representatives to gain revolutionary experience, who asked for armed political action to stop the U.S. government's war in Vietnam.
October 8, 1969: Weathermen riot through Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood
On October 8, 1969, a rally in Chicago attended by two to three hundred Weathermen rioted through the affluent Gold Coast neighborhood, smashing windows and clashing with police. The police counterattacked with tear gas and squad cars, resulting in injuries to 28 policemen and the arrest of 68 rioters.
October 1969: "Days of Rage" riot in Chicago
In October 1969, the WUO conducted its first riot, the "Days of Rage", in Chicago. This was timed to coincide with the trial of the Chicago Seven.
December 1969: Flint War Council leads to WUO going underground
Following the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion, the group went underground as a result of the decisions made at the December 1969 Flint War Council, referring to themselves as the Weather Underground Organization. The WUO shrank considerably after this point.
December 1969: Death of Black Panther members Fred Hampton and Mark Clark
In December 1969, Black Panther members Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were killed during a police raid, sparking outrage and influencing the Weather Underground.
December 1969: Chicago Police raid on Fred Hampton's home
In December 1969, the Chicago Police Department, along with the FBI, raided the home of Black Panther Fred Hampton, resulting in his death and the death of Mark Clark. This event triggered the Weather Underground to go underground and develop its logistical support network.
1969: Dissolution of SDS
After the summer of 1969 fragmentation of SDS, Weatherman's adherents explicitly claimed themselves the real leaders of SDS and retained control of the SDS National Office.
1969: Failure of Days of Rage
Following the failure of the Days of Rage in 1969, which aimed to involve thousands of youths in street fighting, the Weather Underground largely renounced the Left and decided to operate as an isolated underground group. The group asserted that people should never "dissociate mass struggle from revolutionary violence".
1969: Intensive criticism sessions and "smash monogamy" campaign
In 1969, Weather Underground members engaged in intensive "criticism self-criticism" sessions derived from Maoist techniques to root out individualist tendencies, sometimes lasting over a dozen hours and were used to ridicule and bully those who didn't agree with the party line, which helped them remain underground. They also launched a "smash monogamy" campaign to split up couples and enforce rotation of sex partners.
1969: SDS adopts Klonsky's doctrine
In 1969, the SDS adopted Klonsky's document as its official doctrine, reflecting the philosophy that young workers could be a revolutionary force. During the summer of 1969, the National Office began to split.
1969: The Weather Underground active
In 1969, the Weather Underground, a far-left Marxist militant organization, became active after being founded at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
December 31, 1969: End of the "War Council" in Flint, Michigan
From December 26 to December 31, 1969, the Weatherman held the last of its National Council meetings in Flint, Michigan, dubbed the "War Council." The 300 attendees adopted Jacobs' call for violent revolution and discussed "going underground."
February 21, 1970: Molotov cocktails explode at Justice Murtagh's home
On February 21, 1970, Molotov cocktails exploded at the home of New York Supreme Court Justice John M. Murtagh, who was presiding over the "Panther 21" case, with graffiti reading "Free the Panther 21" and "Viet Cong have won" found at the scene. The judge and his family were unharmed.
March 6, 1970: Townhouse explosion devastates New York cell
On March 6, 1970, a townhouse explosion devastated the New York cell of the Weather Underground. The members of this cell had carried out the fire-bombing of Judge Murtagh's home in solidarity with the Panther 21.
April 1970: Weathermen meet in California to discuss the future
In late April 1970, members of the Weathermen met in California to discuss the events that had happened in New York, namely the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion, and the future of the organization.
May 4, 1970: City unveils rebuilt police statue
On May 4, 1970, the city rebuilt and unveiled the police statue that had been bombed by the Weathermen in October 1969.
May 21, 1970: Weather Underground issues a "Declaration of War"
On May 21, 1970, the Weather Underground issued a "Declaration of War" against the United States government, adopting the name "Weather Underground Organization" (WUO) and pursuing covert activities. These included plans to bomb a U.S. military dance at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
June 9, 1970: First publicly acknowledged bombing by the Weather Underground
On June 9, 1970, the Weather Underground carried out their first publicly acknowledged bombing at a New York City police station. The FBI placed the Weather Underground organization on the ten most-wanted list by the end of 1970.
July 23, 1970: Federal grand jury indicts 13 Weathermen
On July 23, 1970, a Detroit federal grand jury indicted 13 Weathermen members in a national bombing conspiracy, along with several unnamed co-conspirators. Ten of the thirteen already had outstanding federal warrants.
September 1970: Weathermen help Timothy Leary escape prison
In September 1970, the Weather Underground accepted $25,000 from The Brotherhood of Eternal Love to break LSD advocate Timothy Leary out of a California prison and transport him and his wife to Algeria, where Leary joined Eldridge Cleaver.
October 6, 1970: Weathermen blow up rebuilt police statue in Chicago again
On October 6, 1970, the Weathermen blew up the rebuilt police statue in Chicago again. The city rebuilt the statue a third time but relocated it to Chicago Police Headquarters.
October 1970: Dohrn on 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" communiqué mentions fire-bombing
According to the December 6, 1970, "New Morning—Changing Weather" communiqué, the fire-bombing of Judge Murtagh's home, in solidarity with the Panther 21, was carried out by members of the New York cell that was devastated by the March 6, 1970, townhouse explosion.
1970: Intensive criticism sessions and "smash monogamy" campaign
In 1970, Weather Underground members continued intensive "criticism self-criticism" sessions derived from Maoist techniques to root out individualist tendencies, sometimes lasting over a dozen hours and were used to ridicule and bully those who didn't agree with the party line, which helped them remain underground. They also launched a "smash monogamy" campaign to split up couples and enforce rotation of sex partners until they went underground and blended into the counterculture.
1970: Declaration of a State of War
In 1970, the Weather Underground Organization issued a "Declaration of a State of War" against the United States government.
1970: Weather Underground Refuses to Renounce Revolutionary Violence
In 1970, the Weather Underground refused to renounce revolutionary violence, maintaining that "to leave people unprepared to fight the state is to seriously mislead them about the inevitable nature of what lies ahead". The decision to build only an underground group caused the Weather Underground to lose sight of its commitment to mass struggle.
1970: Death of Weatherman members and shift in organization outlook
In 1970, the deaths of Weatherman members Terry Robbins, Diana Oughton, and Ted Gold in the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion led to a shift in the organization's outlook, resulting in a new paradigm of direct action outlined in the "New Morning, Changing Weather" communiqué that avoided attacks on people.
1970: Estimates of Weathermen Underground
In 1970, the federal government estimated that only 38 Weathermen had gone underground. An FBI estimate in 1976, or slightly later, of the current membership was down to 30 or fewer.
1970: The Weather Underground Organization established
In 1970, the group was officially named the Weather Underground Organization (WUO). Its main political goal was to start a revolution to overthrow the United States government, which it saw as imperialistic.
March 1, 1971: Bombing of the United States Capitol
On March 1, 1971, the WUO bombed the United States Capitol in protest of the U.S. invasion of Laos.
April 1971: Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI Breakes Into FBI Office
In April 1971, the "Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI" broke into an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, stealing files detailing the targeting of civil rights leaders, labor rights organizations, and left-wing groups. These files included documentation of FBI intimidation and disinformation tactics under COINTELPRO.
1971: Dissolution of COINTELPRO by J. Edgar Hoover
In 1971, J. Edgar Hoover dissolved COINTELPRO, but the FBI continued counterintelligence efforts against groups like the Weather Underground.
1971: Discovery of FBI's COINTELPRO targeting Fred Hampton
In 1971, it was discovered that Fred Hampton had been targeted by the FBI's COINTELPRO program. The families of the dead won a $1.8 million settlement from the government.
May 19, 1972: Bombing of the Pentagon
On May 19, 1972, the WUO bombed the Pentagon in retaliation for the U.S. bombing raid in Hanoi.
September 28, 1973: Bombing of ITT Inc building
On September 28, 1973, the WUO bombed an ITT Inc building in New York City due to the company's involvement in the 1973 Chilean coup d'état.
December 1973: Bernardine Dohrn Removed from FBI's Ten Most Wanted List
On December 7, 1973, Bernardine Dohrn was removed from the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. This action coincided with the government's request to drop charges against most WUO members due to a Supreme Court decision barring electronic surveillance without a court order. The government also sought to avoid revealing foreign intelligence secrets during any trial.
1973: Disintegration of the WUO begins
In 1973, following a peace accord in Vietnam, the Weather Underground Organization began to disintegrate.
1973: FBI Establishes "Special Target Information Development" Program
In 1973, the FBI established the "Special Target Information Development" program to penetrate the Weather Underground, using illegal tactics like "black-bag jobs". Government attorneys requested weapons- and bomb-related charges be dropped due to these tactics, reducing legal repercussions for Weatherman members.
1973: FBI Director L. Patrick Gray Resignation
In 1973, the cases against Sylvia Jane Brown, Robert Gelbhard, and future members of the Seattle Weather Collective were dismissed, leading to the subsequent resignation of FBI Director, L. Patrick Gray, and the federal indictments of W. Mark Felt or "Deep Throat" and Edwin Miller. Additionally, these decisions contributed to the removal of federal "most-wanted" status against members of the Weather Underground leadership.
1973: Government Drops Most Charges Against WUO Members
In 1973, the government dropped most charges against WUO members. Creating an above-ground organization was more feasible. The May 19 Communist Organization continued in hiding as the clandestine organization.
1974: Weather Underground Details a New Strategy
By 1974, the Weather Underground recognized past shortcomings and in "Prairie Fire" detailed a new strategy for the 1970s. This strategy demanded both mass and clandestine organizations, with the clandestine organization building the "consciousness of action" and preparing for a people's militia. The mass movement would support and encourage armed action.
1974: Van Lydegraf Helped Write Prairie Fire Manifesto
Clayton Van Lydegraf, who helped write the 1974 Prairie Fire Manifesto, went to trial for conspiracy to bomb the office of California State Senator John Briggs.
1974: Publication of "Prairie Fire: The Politics of Revolutionary Anti-Imperialism"
In 1974, Weather Underground members Bill Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn, Jeff Jones, and Celia Sojourn collaborated on the manifesto "Prairie Fire: The Politics of Revolutionary Anti-Imperialism," inspired by a quote from Mao Zedong. By the summer of 1974, five thousand copies were circulating across the U.S., receiving praise from leftist newspapers.
1974: Nixon Resignation
Nixon's courtroom appearance in 1980 was his first appearance in court after his resignation in 1974.
January 29, 1975: Bombing of the United States Department of State building
On January 29, 1975, the WUO bombed the United States Department of State building in response to the escalation in Vietnam.
February 1, 1976: Matthew Steen Appears 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. This was the first ex-Weatherman interview on national television. The 60 minutes segment was titled Fake ID.
1976: W. Mark Felt Publicly States He Ordered Break-ins
In 1976, former FBI Associate Director W. Mark Felt publicly stated that he had ordered break-ins and that individual agents were merely obeying orders. He argued that acting Director L. Patrick Gray had also authorized the break-ins, and justified the "extralegal" actions as protecting the "greater good." Felt also stated he would probably be a "scapegoat" for the Bureau's work during his appearance on CBS's Face the Nation.
1976: FBI Estimate of Underground Weathermen Membership
In 1976, the FBI estimated the current membership of underground Weathermen was down to 30 or fewer.
1976: Weather Underground "Hard Times" Conference in Chicago
In 1976, the Weather Underground held the "Hard Times" conference in Chicago, aiming to create an umbrella organization for all radical groups. However, the event became divisive, with accusations of limited roles for Hispanic and Black groups in racial issues, and abandonment of the revolution.
November 1977: Five WUO Members Arrested for Conspiracy
In November 1977, five WUO members were arrested on conspiracy to bomb the office of California State Senator John Briggs. The Revolutionary Committee and the PFOC had been infiltrated by the FBI for almost six years.
1977: WUO defunct
By 1977, the Weather Underground Organization was defunct.
January 20, 1978: Mark Rudd Turns Himself into Authorities
On January 20, 1978, Mark Rudd turned himself into authorities, taking advantage of President Jimmy Carter's amnesty for draft dodgers. Rudd was fined $4,000 and received two years' probation.
April 10, 1978: Felt, Miller and Gray Charged with Conspiracy
On April 10, 1978, Attorney General Griffin Bell charged Felt, Edward S. Miller, and Gray with conspiracy to violate constitutional rights by conducting warrantless home searches.
1979: Government Rejects Felt and Miller Plea Bargain
In 1979, Felt and Miller offered a misdemeanor guilty plea for conducting searches without warrants, but the government rejected the plea bargain.
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: Felt and Miller Found Guilty
On November 6, 1980, the jury returned guilty verdicts against Felt and Miller for conspiracy to violate constitutional rights. Felt was fined $5,000 and Miller was fined $3,500.
December 3, 1980: Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers Surrender to Authorities
On December 3, 1980, Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers turned themselves in to authorities in New York, with substantial media coverage. Charges were dropped for Ayers, while Dohrn received three years' probation and a $15,000 fine.
December 11, 1980: Gray's Case Dropped for Lack of Evidence
On December 11, 1980, the government dropped Gray's case for lack of evidence, after he was charged with conspiracy to violate constitutional rights by conducting warrantless home searches.
October 20, 1981: Brink's Armored Truck Robbery
On October 20, 1981, in Nanuet, New York, three former Weather Underground members, Kathy Boudin, Judith Alice Clark, and David Gilbert, joined the May 19 Communist Organization and helped the Black Liberation Army rob a Brink's armored truck containing $1.6 million. 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.
1981: David Gilbert participates in Brink's robbery
In 1981, David Gilbert, who had been a member of the Weather Underground, participated in the Brink's robbery that killed two police officers and a Brink's guard, and was jailed for murder.
1985: Arrests and Sentencing in Brink's Robbery and Resistance Conspiracy Case
In 1985, Weather Underground members 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. This marked a significant turning point in the activities of these individuals and groups.
1985: May 19th Communist Organization disbanded
In 1985, the May 19th Communist Organization, which some WUO members joined, disbanded.
2001: Bill Ayers Describes Weatherman Split
According to Bill Ayers in 2001, the Weatherman group split into two factions by the late 1970s: the May 19th Communist Organization and the Prairie Fire Collective. Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers were in the latter, favoring an above-ground revolutionary mass movement, while the May 19 Communist Organization remained clandestine.
2001: Ayers States "I don't regret setting bombs" in New York Times Interview
In a 2001 New York Times interview, Bill Ayers said, "I don't regret setting bombs", sparking considerable controversy. He has since claimed that he was misquoted. The statement contributed to the ongoing debate about the Weather Underground's legacy and actions.
2001: Ayers Defends Weather Underground Actions in "Fugitive Days"
In his 2001 book "Fugitive Days", Bill Ayers objected to the description of the Weather Underground Organization (WUO) as a terrorist organization, arguing that their actions were intended to educate rather than terrorize. He differentiated the group's actions from those of terrorists by stating, "Terrorists terrorize, they kill innocent civilians, while we organized and agitated."
2002: The Weather Underground documentary film restates contention
After the Greenwich Village explosion, in a review of the documentary film The Weather Underground (2002), a Guardian journalist restated the film's contention that no one was killed by WUO bombs.
2003: Weather Underground members express reasons for bombings
In 2003, Weather Underground members stated in interviews that they wanted to convince the American public that the United States was responsible for the calamity in Vietnam. They bombed empty offices at night, with warnings issued in advance to ensure safe evacuation.
2004: FBI Labels Weather Underground as a Domestic Terrorist Group
In 2004, the FBI referred to the Weather Underground in a news story titled "Byte out of History" published on its website as having been a "domestic terrorist group" that is no longer an active concern. This categorization has been disputed by some members of the group.
2006: Dan Berger reflects on the Weatherman's paradigm shift
In 2006, Dan Berger stated that after the Greenwich Village townhouse explosion, the Weather Underground adopted a new paradigm of direct action in the "New Morning, Changing Weather" communiqué, avoiding attacks on people, influenced by the 1970 deaths of Terry Robbins, Diana Oughton, and Ted Gold.
2007: Wilkerson's memoir mentions fire-bombing
In Wilkerson's 2007 memoir, it is mentioned that the fire-bombing of Judge Murtagh's home, in solidarity with the Panther 21, was carried out by members of the New York cell that was devastated by the March 6, 1970, townhouse explosion.
2009: Grand Jury Investigation into San Francisco Police Department Park Station Bombing
In 2009, a Grand Jury was convened to investigate whether Weather Underground was responsible for the San Francisco Police Department Park Station bombing, in which one officer was killed, one was maimed, and eight more were wounded by shrapnel from a pipe bomb. They ultimately concluded that members of the Black Liberation Army were responsible, with whom WUO members were affiliated.
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