Hey, history lovers. I'm Mike Rosenwald with Retropod, a show about the past, rediscovered.

1968 was a year of protest. On the streets, on college campuses, and on the fields of battle,

athletic battles. This is the beautiful capital of Mexico. Mexico, very old and today especially very young, plays host to the cream of the world's

athletes and the greatest of its cultural leaders, here to take part in the 19th Olympiad.

It was there in Mexico City with the world watching that one of the most iconic moments of that

chaotic year unfolded on television screens around the world. U.S. Olympians Tommy Smith and

John Carlos had just competed in the 200-meter sprint. Smith won the gold, Carlos the bronze.

And when they strode to the podium to accept their medals, they went with a plan,

a plan to peacefully, quietly, but forcefully protest the injustice and racial cruelty taking

place back home. Stepping up to the podium, they took off their shoes. That was to protest poverty.

They wore beads and a scarf. That was to protest lynchings.

They had one pair of black gloves between them.

Smith put one on his right fist.

Carlos covered his left fist.

When the national anthem was played,

they lowered their heads in defiance

and raised those fists,

the black skin covered with black gloves

in a black power salute.

And they prayed.

Decades later, their protests would be remembered as an act of patriotism.

In 2008, the two were honored with ESPN's Arthur Ash Courage Award.

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