Vietnam War Draft Lottery: September 14 Assigned First Call Number in Televised 1969 Drawing

A poignant social media post recently underscored the profound anxiety experienced by young American men during the Vietnam War era, particularly those awaiting their fate in the televised draft lottery. The tweet, from user "Fascinating," captured the sentiment: > "Imagine being 19 and watching live on TV to see if your birthday will be picked to fight in the Vietnam war." This personal reflection highlights a pivotal moment in U.S. history when military service was determined by a random drawing.

The first Vietnam War draft lottery, a significant departure from previous conscription methods, was held on December 1, 1969, at the Selective Service National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. This event was designed to determine the order of call for induction during the calendar year 1970 for men born between January 1, 1944, and December 31, 1950. The re-institution of a lottery system aimed to address widespread criticism that the prior "oldest man first" method and college deferments disproportionately affected lower-income and less educated individuals.

The televised drawing involved 366 blue plastic capsules, each containing a birth date, placed into a large glass container. These capsules were drawn by hand, with the dates publicly announced and assigned a sequential lottery number. September 14 was the first date drawn, receiving lottery number 1, meaning all men born on that date within the eligible age range were first in line for potential induction. Subsequent drawings assigned numbers to every other day of the year.

For many young men, watching the live broadcast was a moment of intense suspense, as their future hung on the random selection of a capsule. The lower a man's assigned lottery number, the higher his probability of being called to serve. In 1970, all men with a lottery number of 195 or lower were called to report for possible induction. This system, while intended to be fair, generated considerable public debate and fueled the burgeoning anti-war movement.

The draft continued for several more years, with subsequent lotteries held annually to determine eligibility. However, active American involvement in Vietnam concluded with the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973, and the last draft call was issued on December 7, 1972. The authority to induct expired on June 30, 1973, marking the end of conscription for the Vietnam War and ushering in an all-volunteer military force for the United States.