Black Power Salute 1968. Gold medalist tommie smith (center) and bronze medalist john carlos (right) showing the raised fist on the podium after the 200 m race at the 1968 summer olympics held in mexico city, mexico | wikipedia | public domain. After overcoming several obstacles, mexico went on to inaugurate the summer olympics on october 12, 1968.

The image was taken after the 200 meter running event in which tommie smith and john carlos won the gold and bronze medals respectively. Rather, the salute done by smith and carlos was viewed by the international olympic committee chairman, avery brundage, as a domestic political issue not appropriate for the setting. Dominis quickly zoomed in on them and took the shot.