Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Filmed on August 22, 1972, at the Marine Theater in Miami, Florida, this archival film documents the star-studded "Youth for Nixon" rally held during the Republican National Convention.
The highlight of the 31-minute reel is the iconic and controversial moment when legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.—after singing "Mr. Bojangles" and rallying the crowd—spontaneously runs up from behind and hugs President Richard Nixon.
The event was a strategic effort by the Nixon campaign to court young voters in the first presidential election after the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. The footage shows Nixon trying to dispel the narrative that the youth vote belonged to his opponent, George McGovern. It features performances by Bobby Goldsboro, rock bands covering Jerry Lee Lewis, and Davis reading a solemn message from Vietnam Veterans regarding Prisoners of War (POWs).
#RichardNixon #SammyDavisJr #1972Election #RNC #History #MrBojangles #VietnamWar #HezakyaNewz
Filmed on August 22, 1972, at the Marine Theater in Miami, Florida, this archival film documents the star-studded "Youth for Nixon" rally held during the Republican National Convention.
The highlight of the 31-minute reel is the iconic and controversial moment when legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.—after singing "Mr. Bojangles" and rallying the crowd—spontaneously runs up from behind and hugs President Richard Nixon.
The event was a strategic effort by the Nixon campaign to court young voters in the first presidential election after the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. The footage shows Nixon trying to dispel the narrative that the youth vote belonged to his opponent, George McGovern. It features performances by Bobby Goldsboro, rock bands covering Jerry Lee Lewis, and Davis reading a solemn message from Vietnam Veterans regarding Prisoners of War (POWs).
#RichardNixon #SammyDavisJr #1972Election #RNC #History #MrBojangles #VietnamWar #HezakyaNewz
