Viewers of the new Jordan Peele thrillerUsmay take the air out rum about the daisy - chain of humanness depicted in the cinema and whether it had any basis in realness . It does : custody Across America was a nationwideeffortto raise awareness ( and money ) for the plight of the hungry and homeless in America . The event consume spot on May 25 , 1986 and involved about 5 million multitude across 16 states and Washington , D.C. joining hands for 15 minute in a signal of solidarity . While promotional expenses ate into some of the profits , the stunt helpedraisean approximate $ 15 million for kindly causes .
For more on this audacious ' 80s moment that sport Oprah Winfrey , Mickey Mouse , and Michael J. Fox , check out our one shot - up of facts and trivia . ( Just do n’t expect it to be as creepy as Peele ’s interpretation . )
Hands Across America wasn’t the first time someone had tried to get people to join hands across the country.
There were protests against Hands Across America.
You would n’t imagine hoi polloi having a job with a kindly effort , but Hands Across America faced controversy early on for function out a route that began in New York City ’s Battery Park and ended up in Long Beach , California . States and city that were n’t included in the road snaking through Pennsylvania , Maryland , Ohio , Kentucky , and Arizona , among others , object to being result out . Senator Ted Kennedyvoicedhis disapproval that the connectedness would n’t be running through New England .
Prince sponsored a line.
There were a lot of gaps that had to be filled.
When Hands Across Americalaunchedat 3 p.m. eastern time on Sunday , May 25 , 1986 , the Associated Press estimated that about 4,924,000 people would be participating base on countsgatheredfrom local community organiser . While concentrations were heavy in some states like New York and New Jersey , others found themselves short . Indiana call for 400,000 people , but just 250,000 showed up . In Sanders , Arizona , 109 masses stood in a section that needed 1320 to come along double-dyed . When there was a gap in the line , organizers filled it with medal , ropes , banners , or even cattle . When a bus driver in New Jersey saw a break in the occupation , hepulled overand asked his passengers to complete the connexion .
Prisoners participated in Hands Across America.
With a presence in 550 cities , Hands Across America made for some strange bedfellows . Major League Baseball players gathered for a game in Cincinnati , Ohio andheld handswith Little Leaguers ; nuns and Hell ’s Angels membersstoodside - by - side in Pittsburgh . At Rahway State Prison in Rahway , New Jersey , inmatesformeda line .
There were weddings during Hands Across America.
Although Hands Across America was expected to last just 15 moment , a phone number of people took the opportunity to use the assembly as a point of departure for other activities . A total of five marriages werereportedto have been completed during the result , as well asbaptismsand at least one saloon mitsvah .
Ronald Reagan was criticized for getting involved in Hands Across America.
President Ronald ReaganjoinedHands Across America on the front lawn of the White House alongside his wife Nancy , the Reverend Billy Graham , and Olympian gymnast Mary Lou Retton . But Reagan was the subject of protests in Detroit ’s Lafayette Park and was criticize for even being involved , as his critic believed he had done little to combat the hungriness epidemic in America . The previous workweek , Reagan hadciteda " want of noesis " among the hapless about charitable resources as a reason they did not have approach to nutrient . The comment raised brow . Reagan , however , abnegate his participation had anything to do with the backlash .
Some people stiffed the event out of money.
Kragen had vocalize Bob Hope that Hands Across America might be able toraise$50 or even $ 100 million in charitable donations . An estimatereleaseda year after the result put the total number of donations at $ 24.5 million , with $ 9.5 million going to costs and $ 15 million to charities . In gild to fill out the expected gaps in lines , USA for Africa hadinvitedpeople to come link the chemical group without register or pay up the $ 10 to $ 35 contribution . Additionally , thousands of mass showed up for the issue who had pledged to donate but never did . An August 1986 story inThe New York Timesestimatedthe lost profits to be between $ 7 and $ 8 million .
