1968: A Year of Monumental Change

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 1960s were a tumultuous decade, but 1968 in particular stood out as a year of immense historical significance. Across the globe, major events unfolded that would have lasting impacts, from the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia to the Tlatelolco massacre in Mexico. In the United States, the civil rights movement reached a critical juncture with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., sparking riots nationwide. The Vietnam War also escalated with the Tet Offensive, while other key moments like the Apollo 8 mission and the Fair Housing Act also occurred.

Why it matters

1968 was a pivotal year that saw the convergence of numerous social, political, and cultural upheavals that would reshape the world. The events of that year had far-reaching consequences that are still felt today, from the ongoing impact of the civil rights movement to the legacy of the Vietnam War. Understanding the significance of 1968 provides crucial context for comprehending the modern world.

The details

In 1968, the world witnessed a series of momentous events that would alter the course of history. In Paris, student protests and worker strikes threatened to destabilize the French economy. The Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia, crushing the Prague Spring reform movement. The Apollo 8 mission became the first crewed spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit and orbit the Moon. At Columbia University, student protesters took over several buildings and briefly held a dean hostage. In the United States, the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. sparked riots in over 100 cities. Tommie Smith and John Carlos famously gave the 'black power' salute on the Olympic podium. And the Tet Offensive launched by Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces marked a major escalation of the Vietnam War.

• In May 1968, more than 5,000 university students clashed with police in Paris, leading to worker strikes that threatened the French economy.
• In August 1968, Warsaw Pact forces invaded Czechoslovakia, arresting leader Alexander Dubček and forcing him to sign the Moscow Protocols.
• In December 1968, the Apollo 8 mission became the first crewed spacecraft to leave Earth's orbit and orbit the Moon.
• In April 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, leading to riots in over 100 U.S. cities.
• In October 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the 'black power' salute on the Olympic podium in Mexico City.