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Major Events of April 1968: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from April 1968 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1968: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1968 Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.: Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. At 6:01 PM, while preparing to go to dinner, King was shot in the neck by James Earl Ray, who had positioned himself in a nearby boarding house with a clear view of the motel. King was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:05 PM. This tragic event marked a pivotal moment in the American Civil Rights Movement, cutting short the life of one of the most influential civil rights leaders in U.S. history.
  • 02 Apr 1968 Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.: Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. At 6:01 PM, James Earl Ray fired a single shot from a .30-06 rifle, striking King in the neck. King was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:05 PM. This tragic event marked a pivotal moment in the American Civil Rights Movement.
  • 03 Apr 1968 Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Speech and Impending Assassination: Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his prophetic 'I've Been to the Mountaintop' speech at Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, powerfully advocating for civil rights and social justice. This speech would be his last, as he was tragically assassinated the following day.
  • 04 Apr 1968 Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.: Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent American civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 39. His death marked a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, sparking nationwide protests and highlighting the ongoing racial tensions in the United States.
  • 05 Apr 1968 Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a pivotal civil rights leader, was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, marking a tragic moment in the American civil rights movement. His death sparked nationwide protests and mourning, highlighting the deep racial tensions of the era.
  • 06 Apr 1968 Baltimore Riots of 1968: Following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, the Baltimore riot erupted, with crowds filling streets, burning businesses, and confronting law enforcement and national guard, reflecting the intense social unrest of the era.
  • 07 Apr 1968 National Day of Mourning for Martin Luther King Jr.: The United States observed a national day of mourning for Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., following his assassination. During this somber day, cultural figures like Nina Simone paid tribute to Dr. King. Musician Gene Taylor composed and performed the song 'Why? (the King of Love Is Dead)' at the Westbury Music Fair, commemorating the civil rights leader's legacy.
  • 08 Apr 1968 Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.: American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated as he stood on a balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. This tragic event marked a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement, shocking the nation and leading to widespread mourning and social unrest.
  • 09 Apr 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. Laid to Rest in Atlanta: The funeral and burial of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. took place in Atlanta, Georgia, following his tragic assassination. Thousands mourned the loss of this pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement.
  • 10 Apr 1968 Civil Rights Act of 1968 Signed: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1968, a critical piece of legislation that prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, religion, national origin, and sex. This act was a significant expansion of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, further advancing racial equality and fair housing practices in the United States.
  • 11 Apr 1968 Civil Rights Act of 1968 Signed: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, a landmark legislation prohibiting discrimination in housing sales, rentals, and financing. This act was particularly significant as it was signed just a week after the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., representing a crucial moment in the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States.
  • 12 Apr 1968 Duke University Silent Vigil for Martin Luther King Jr.: Students at Duke University conducted a peaceful protest known as the Silent Vigil from April 5-11, 1968, in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This landmark demonstration represented a significant moment of racial solidarity and social consciousness at a predominantly white university.
  • 14 Apr 1968 Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His tragic murder sparked widespread riots in over 100 cities across the United States, marking a pivotal and traumatic moment in the American civil rights movement.
  • 15 Apr 1968 UK Music Chart Highlight: On April 15, 1968, the UK music charts were topped by Louis Armstrong's double-sided hit 'What A Wonderful World / Cabaret', showcasing the legendary musician's versatility and cultural impact.
  • 16 Apr 1968 Death of Albert Betz, Wind Energy Pioneer: Albert Betz, a renowned German physicist and aerospace engineering pioneer, passed away at the age of 82. He was instrumental in developing foundational theories of wind turbine technology, significantly contributing to the early understanding of wind energy conversion. Betz's most famous contribution was the 'Betz limit', which mathematically defines the maximum possible energy extraction from wind by a turbine, a principle still fundamental to modern wind energy engineering.
  • 17 Apr 1968 FBI Identifies Suspect in Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) identified a suspect in the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., filing a request for an arrest warrant and publicly releasing a detailed description of the suspect. This marked a critical moment in the investigation of one of the most significant and tragic events in American civil rights history.
  • 18 Apr 1968 London Bridge Sold to American Buyer: The historic London Bridge was sold to an American oil company, with plans to dismantle and reconstruct it in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
  • 19 Apr 1968 Boston Marathon Victory by Amby Burfoot: Amby Burfoot of Connecticut won the 72nd Boston Marathon with a time of 2:22:17, marking the first time an American had won the prestigious race since 1957.
  • 20 Apr 1968 Enoch Powell's Controversial 'Rivers of Blood' Speech: British politician Enoch Powell delivers his infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech, a highly controversial address criticizing immigration and warning of potential racial tensions in the United Kingdom. The speech would become a pivotal moment in British political discourse on race and immigration.
  • 21 Apr 1968 22nd Tony Awards Highlights: The 22nd Tony Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in Broadway theater, with notable wins for 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' and 'Hallelujah, Baby!'
  • 22 Apr 1968 Jo Angel - Australian Cricket Fast Bowler: Jo Angel was a prominent right-arm fast bowler from Western Australia who played for the Australian national cricket team between 1993 and the early 2000s, contributing to the country's strong cricket legacy.
  • 23 Apr 1968 Columbia University Student Protests: During the height of the Vietnam War, student protesters at Columbia University in New York City took over administration buildings and effectively shut down the university, highlighting the growing anti-war sentiment among American students.
  • 24 Apr 1968 Columbia University Student Protest: Leftist students take over Columbia University in New York City, marking a significant moment of student activism during the tumultuous late 1960s.
  • 25 Apr 1968 Half a Sixpence opens at Broadhurst Theater NYC for 512 performances
  • 26 Apr 1968 US Underground Nuclear Test: Operation Crosstie Boxcar: The United States conducted an underground nuclear test of the 'Boxcar' device at the Nevada Test Site, with a yield of 1 megaton. This test was part of Operation Crosstie, a significant nuclear weapons testing program during the Cold War era.
  • 27 Apr 1968 Robert F. Kennedy's Nebraska Campaign Tour: During his presidential campaign, Robert F. Kennedy conducted an extensive 11-stop whistle-stop tour through Nebraska, drawing an impressive crowd of approximately 31,000 people. The tour began in Cheyenne, Wyoming at 7:15 a.m. and concluded in Omaha at 7:40 p.m., showcasing Kennedy's grassroots political engagement.
  • 28 Apr 1968 Broadway Musical 'Hair' Opens: The groundbreaking rock musical 'Hair' premiered at the Biltmore Theater in New York City, marking a significant cultural moment of the 1960s. The production would run for 1,750 performances, becoming a landmark of counterculture theater.
  • 29 Apr 1968 Death of Frankie Lymon: Frankie Lymon, pioneering rock and R&B singer known for his work with the Teenagers, tragically died of a drug overdose at the young age of 25, marking a significant loss for the music industry.
  • 30 Apr 1968 Columbia University Student Protests: Student protesters at Columbia University in New York City staged a significant demonstration, taking over administration buildings and effectively shutting down the university. This protest was part of the broader anti-Vietnam War and civil rights movements of the late 1960s, reflecting growing student activism and social unrest.