Greg, Pennsylvania, 1969. No. 19: Freaked-Out At The Physical

I attended UW-Madison from 1966 through 1973 obtaining both a bachelor’s (1970) and master’s degree (1973). As we all recall, starting with the Dow Chemical demonstration at the Commerce Building in the Spring of 1967, many of us demonstrated vehemently...

James, Florida, 1969. No. 76: The Canadian Option

My birthday is November 6, 1947, so I was in the 1969 draft lottery and pulled number 76.  In the summer of ’68, with a year left to run on my student deferment, I made a "dry run" to Toronto just to see if it would be possible to get over the...

Neil, New Jersey, 1969. No. 364: Protracted Adolescence

I was a very high number (364)–and I was touched when my girlfriend called me up ecstatic. I hadn’t been too worried, though–I had figured my terrible vision would keep me out. Still, it was great to hear that the draft wouldn’t ruin my...

Ronald, California, 1969. No. 321: Opportunities Unlimited

It was a grey day as the numbers began to be called out for the first ever lottery in modern times.  I was a senior in college preparing to graduate in 1970 and unsure as to my future.  Join the service, go to Canada or disappear. I had been 1-A...

Jerry, Ohio, 1970. No 1!: Four Years or Two?

 Well today is my birthday (July 9). About 38 years ago I hit the jackpot with No. 1 in the lottery. It forever shaped my future. You could not get a decent job because the first thing they would ask you was "What’s your number". Answer would be...

Dave, Virginia, 1969. No. 315: Numbered Faces

I was a student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.  1969 was the first year of the draft.  I sat in the packed Rathskellar (Student Union) the night of the first draft and watched as they pulled dates out of the lottery bin.  It was a tough,...