Global protests break out in 951 cities in 82 countries.

The previous great set of protests — in the late 1960s — was also led by students, demanding equality for minorities, pullout from the war in Vietnam, an end to the military draft and a host of other grievances. In the intervening years some issues changed, some changed shape only grew more acute, and virtually had become globalized. In the wake of the Great Recession the dominant issue became simultaneously very new — the lack of economic opportunities for the younger generations — and as old as humankind itself — the distinct feeling that upper classes are hoarding all the wealth.

On this day, October 15, in 2011, the churning “Occupy” protests that began in New York and Washington D.C. went global, with tens of thousands marching to occupy London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Sydney and capitals around the world.

European protesters marching in the spirit of OWS came from all backgrounds, as the American recession compounded an already faltering Eurozone economy. Measures to restore balance in the government budgets called for “austerity” measures, which meant massive government job layoffs and cuts on social safety nets. This upturning of the European way of life was one of the causes of Spain’s “indignados”, their version of Occupy.