787K views · 6.3K reactions | On December 1, 1969, the United States held its first televised draft lottery for the Vietnam War. Young men aged 19 to 26 watched anxiously as birthdates were drawn to determine the order of induction into military service. The process involved selecting 366 capsules, each representing a day of the year, to assign draft numbers. Those with lower numbers faced a higher likelihood of being called to serve. | History In Pictures | Facebook

On December 1, 1969, the U.S. held its first Vietnam Draft Lottery, televised live. This event determined the order of call for military service, based on birth dates, impacting young men across the country. The lottery used a random drawing of dates to establish the order of conscription, changing lives and influencing opinions on the Vietnam War. | History In Pictures

At the height of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military draft became one of the most divisive issues in American history. Nearly 70% of American soldiers serving in Vietnam were draftees, many of them young men barely out of high school. The draft system, based on local draft boards and a lottery, was riddled with inequality — students from wealthy families often avoided service by enrolling in college, while working-class men and minorities had little means of escape. African Americans, in particul

At the height of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military draft became one of the most divisive issues in American history. Nearly 70% of American soldiers serving in Vietnam were draftees, many of them young men barely out of high school. The draft system, based on local draft boards and a lottery, was riddled with inequality — students from wealthy families often avoided service by enrolling in college, while working-class men and minorities had little means of escape. African Americans, in particul