Nixon renominated, embraced by Sammy Davis, Jr. 40 years ago tonight (1972)


Video: Nixon attends youth rally with Davis (at 1:47)

(Tuesday, August 22, 1972, evening) — Entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr., grabbed a startled U.S. President Richard Nixon from behind and squeezed his arms while Nixon talked to about 8,000 of his youthful supporters at a youth rally tonight in Miami, Florida.

The spontaneous gesture came shortly after Nixon was nominated for re-election at the nearby 1972 Republican National Convention by a vote of 1,347-1 over Rep. Paul N. McCloskey of California.


Video: Nixon attends youth rally with Davis (at 2:31)


Video: Author Matt Birkbeck discusses Davis' embrace of Nixon