| Tyler Robert E. Lee Class of 1968 40th Reunion |
1968 Timeline
Some refer to 1968 as "The Year of Dissent," the
Year of Social Change" and even "The Year that
Everything Changed." Others refer to it as the
"Year of Demonstrations and Assassinations", or
the "Turning Point in Vietnam." There were many
events that made 1968 a national year to remember.
A summary of Brown University's study of the year
follows with youtube video connections. Watch
history come to life!
January 31
North Vietnamese launch the Tet offensive at Nha Trang taking the
war from the jungle to the cities. The offensive will carry on for
weeks and is seen as a major turning point for the American
attitude toward the war.
February 27
Walter Cronkite, reports on his recent trip to Vietnam, is highly
critical of US officials and directly contradicts official statements on
the progress of the war. Cronkite advises negotiation "...not as
victors, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to
defend democracy, and did the best they could."
March 28
Martin Luther King Jr. leads a March in Memphis which turns
violent. One 16 year old black boy is killed, 60 people are injured,
and over 150 arrested.
April 3
Martin Luther King Jr. gives his "I have been to the mountain top"
speech'
April 4
Martin Luther King JR, is assassinated by James Earl Ray. Robert
Kennedy, hearing of the murder just before he is to give a speech
in Indianapolis, IN, delivers a powerful extemporaneous eulogy in
which he pleads with the audience "to tame the savageness of
man and make gentle the life of this world."
The King assassination sparks rioting in Baltimore, Boston,
Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Newark, Washington, D.C., and
many others. Across the country 46 deaths will be blamed on the
riots.
.
May 3
The US and North Vietnamese delegations agree to begin peace
talks in Paris later this month. The formal talks will begin on May
10.
June 4/5
Robert Kennedy is assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan.
June 8
Robert Kennedy's funeral is held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New
York. John and Robert's youngest brother, Senator Edward
Kennedy, delivers the eulogy.
August 26
Mayor Richard Daley opens the Democratic National Convention in
Chicago where Hubert Humphrey is selected as the Democratic
nominee. On that Monday night demonstrations are widespread,
but generally peaceful. The next two days, there is increasing
tension and violence.
August 28
Chicago police take action against crowds of demonstrators
without provocation. The police beat some marchers unconscious
and send at least 100 to emergency rooms while arresting 175.
September 7
Women's Liberation groups, joined by members of New York
NOW, target the Miss America Beauty Contest in Atlantic City.
Though nothing was burned, it was here that the feminist
movement first suggested that they "burn their bras."
October 11
Apollo 7 is launched from Florida for an eleven day journey which
will orbit the Earth 163 times.
October 18
Tommie Smith and John Carlos, US athletes and medalists in the
200-meter dash will disrupt the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico
City by performing the black power salute during the
"Star-Spangled Banner" at their medal ceremony.
October 20
Jacqueline Kennedy is married to Aristotle Onassis
October 31
President Johnson announces a total halt to US bombing in North
Vietnam.
November 5
Nixon wins the presidency against Humphrey and Wallace.
November 14
National Turn in Your Draft Card Day is observed with rallies and
protests on college campuses throughout the country.
November 26
The South Vietnamese government finally agrees to join in the
Paris peace talks.
December 21
The launch of Apollo 8 begins the first US mission to orbit the
Moon.
December 24
The Apollo 8 crew, the first humans to orbit the moon, give their
famous Christmas message
Some refer to 1968 as "The Year of Dissent," the
Year of Social Change" and even "The Year that
Everything Changed." Others refer to it as the
"Year of Demonstrations and Assassinations", or
the "Turning Point in Vietnam." There were many
events that made 1968 a national year to remember.
A summary of Brown University's study of the year
follows with youtube video connections. Watch
history come to life!
January 31
North Vietnamese launch the Tet offensive at Nha Trang taking the
war from the jungle to the cities. The offensive will carry on for
weeks and is seen as a major turning point for the American
attitude toward the war.
February 27
Walter Cronkite, reports on his recent trip to Vietnam, is highly
critical of US officials and directly contradicts official statements on
the progress of the war. Cronkite advises negotiation "...not as
victors, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to
defend democracy, and did the best they could."
March 28
Martin Luther King Jr. leads a March in Memphis which turns
violent. One 16 year old black boy is killed, 60 people are injured,
and over 150 arrested.
April 3
Martin Luther King Jr. gives his "I have been to the mountain top"
speech'
April 4
Martin Luther King JR, is assassinated by James Earl Ray. Robert
Kennedy, hearing of the murder just before he is to give a speech
in Indianapolis, IN, delivers a powerful extemporaneous eulogy in
which he pleads with the audience "to tame the savageness of
man and make gentle the life of this world."
The King assassination sparks rioting in Baltimore, Boston,
Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Newark, Washington, D.C., and
many others. Across the country 46 deaths will be blamed on the
riots.
.
May 3
The US and North Vietnamese delegations agree to begin peace
talks in Paris later this month. The formal talks will begin on May
10.
June 4/5
Robert Kennedy is assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan.
June 8
Robert Kennedy's funeral is held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New
York. John and Robert's youngest brother, Senator Edward
Kennedy, delivers the eulogy.
August 26
Mayor Richard Daley opens the Democratic National Convention in
Chicago where Hubert Humphrey is selected as the Democratic
nominee. On that Monday night demonstrations are widespread,
but generally peaceful. The next two days, there is increasing
tension and violence.
August 28
Chicago police take action against crowds of demonstrators
without provocation. The police beat some marchers unconscious
and send at least 100 to emergency rooms while arresting 175.
September 7
Women's Liberation groups, joined by members of New York
NOW, target the Miss America Beauty Contest in Atlantic City.
Though nothing was burned, it was here that the feminist
movement first suggested that they "burn their bras."
October 11
Apollo 7 is launched from Florida for an eleven day journey which
will orbit the Earth 163 times.
October 18
Tommie Smith and John Carlos, US athletes and medalists in the
200-meter dash will disrupt the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico
City by performing the black power salute during the
"Star-Spangled Banner" at their medal ceremony.
October 20
Jacqueline Kennedy is married to Aristotle Onassis
October 31
President Johnson announces a total halt to US bombing in North
Vietnam.
November 5
Nixon wins the presidency against Humphrey and Wallace.
November 14
National Turn in Your Draft Card Day is observed with rallies and
protests on college campuses throughout the country.
November 26
The South Vietnamese government finally agrees to join in the
Paris peace talks.
December 21
The launch of Apollo 8 begins the first US mission to orbit the
Moon.
December 24
The Apollo 8 crew, the first humans to orbit the moon, give their
famous Christmas message
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