Major Events of June 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 June 1968 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

01 Jun 1968 Helen Keller Passes Away: Helen Keller, a pioneering American political activist, author, and lecturer, died at the age of 87. She was a remarkable figure who became the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, breaking significant barriers for people with disabilities and becoming a global symbol of perseverance and human potential.
02 Jun 1968 Yugoslav Student Demonstrations: Student demonstrations erupted in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, signaling potential political unrest and social tensions within the country during a period of significant political transformation.
03 Jun 1968 Poor People's March on Washington: A pivotal civil rights demonstration organized by Martin Luther King Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference, aimed at highlighting economic inequality and demanding economic and human rights for impoverished Americans.
04 Jun 1968 Robert F. Kennedy Wins California Primary and is Assassinated: Robert F. Kennedy wins the California primary, gaining significant momentum in his presidential campaign. Later that same night, he is tragically assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, marking a pivotal and devastating moment in American political history.
05 Jun 1968 Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy: U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was fatally shot by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The assassination occurred shortly after Kennedy's victory speech in the California Democratic primary. Sirhan shot Kennedy multiple times, also wounding five other people. Kennedy was rushed to the hospital and died the following day, marking a tragic moment in American political history.
06 Jun 1968 Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy: Robert F. Kennedy was fatally shot by Sirhan B. Sirhan, a Palestinian resident of Los Angeles, after delivering a speech at the Ambassador Hotel. The assassination occurred during Kennedy's presidential campaign, shocking the nation and marking a tragic moment in American political history.
07 Jun 1968 Robert F. Kennedy's Body Lies in State: The body of assassinated U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy lies in state at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, marking a somber moment in American political history following his tragic assassination.
08 Jun 1968 James Earl Ray Arrested for MLK Assassination: James Earl Ray was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London for the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. He was extradited to the United States and later pleaded guilty but recanted his plea before his death in prison.
09 Jun 1968 National Day of Mourning for Robert F. Kennedy: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson officially declared a national day of mourning following the tragic assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, marking a somber moment in American political history.
10 Jun 1968 General Abrams Takes Command in Vietnam: U.S. Army General Creighton Abrams assumes command of military operations in the Vietnam War, succeeding General William Westmoreland. Abrams shifts strategy from Westmoreland's 'search and destroy' approach to a focus on pacification.
11 Jun 1968 Breakthrough in Cell Surface Antigen Research: Dr. Lloyd J. Old made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying the first cell surface antigens capable of distinguishing between different cell types. This pivotal research laid the foundation for understanding cellular differentiation and would later become crucial in immunology, cancer research, and diagnostic techniques.
12 Jun 1968 UN Approves Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: The United Nations General Assembly voted to approve the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, with a significant majority of 95 member nations supporting the resolution. This landmark treaty aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote global disarmament, marking a critical moment in international diplomacy during the Cold War era.
13 Jun 1968 Earl Warren's Supreme Court Resignation Announcement: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren announced his intention to resign, marking a significant moment in the American judicial leadership transition.
14 Jun 1968 Off duty Dutch military permitted to wear regular clothing
15 Jun 1968 Beatles Members Disavow Maharishi: John Lennon and Paul McCartney publicly announce their involvement with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a mistake during a press conference in New York City.
16 Jun 1968 French Police Clear Sorbonne During Student Protests: On June 16, 1968, French police forcibly evicted student rebels who had occupied the historic Sorbonne University in Paris. Riot police used tear gas and concussion grenades to disperse hundreds of students in the Quartier Latin. While student leaders claimed 500 occupiers were inside, police reported only 136 remained. The evacuation was conducted peacefully, with students filing out after being told they would be searched but not arrested. During the search, police confiscated numerous potential weapons including clubs, pick handles, iron bars, gas masks, helmets, and materials for potential Molotov cocktails. After clearing the building, police removed the rebel banner and reinstated the French national flag.
17 Jun 1968 Hot Wheels Toy Cars Introduction: Mattel revolutionized the toy industry by introducing Hot Wheels, a line of die-cast toy cars that would become a cultural phenomenon and beloved collectible for generations of children.
18 Jun 1968 Supreme Court Bans Housing Discrimination: The United States Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling prohibiting racial discrimination in the sale and rental of housing, a critical step in advancing civil rights and promoting equal housing opportunities for all Americans.
19 Jun 1968 Poor People's Campaign Solidarity Day March: On June 19, 1968, approximately 50,000 participants gathered in Washington, D.C. for the Solidarity Day March, a pivotal moment in the Poor People's Campaign. Led by civil rights leaders, this multiracial demonstration demanded economic justice, fair wages, and an end to poverty in the United States. The march represented a critical continuation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of economic equality, bringing together diverse communities to highlight systemic economic disparities.
20 Jun 1968 Civil Rights Housing Protest in Northern Ireland: Austin Currie, a Member of Parliament at Stormont in Northern Ireland, led a significant protest by squatting in a house in Caledon to highlight and challenge systemic housing discrimination against Catholics during the civil rights movement.
21 Jun 1968 Deadly Student Protest in Rio de Janeiro: A student demonstration in front of the Jornal do Brasil (JB) building in Rio de Janeiro escalated into a violent confrontation. The protest resulted in a tragic outcome with 28 fatalities and over 1,000 arrests, reflecting the intense political tensions and repression during Brazil's military dictatorship period.
22 Jun 1968 Top US Song: This Guy's In Love With You: On June 22, 1968, 'This Guy's In Love With You' by Herb Alpert was the number one song in the United States, showcasing the popular soft rock and instrumental music of the late 1960s.
23 Jun 1968 Buenos Aires Football Stadium Tragedy: On June 23, 1968, a devastating football stampede occurred at a match between Boca Juniors and Club Atlético River Plate in Buenos Aires, resulting in 74 fatalities and 150 injuries. The catastrophe unfolded when fans rushed towards a closed exit, causing a fatal human crush that would become one of the most tragic incidents in Argentine football history.
24 Jun 1968 Republic of Rose Island Declaration: Giorgio Rosa declared the independence of the Republic of Rose Island, an artificial platform off the coast of Rimini, Italy. The micronation was quickly dismantled by Italian authorities, highlighting the challenges of establishing independent territories.
25 Jun 1968 Tony Hancock's Tragic End: Renowned English comedian and actor Tony Hancock tragically took his own life at the age of 44, cutting short a brilliant career that had significantly influenced British comedy and entertainment.
26 Jun 1968 Iwo Jima and Bonin Islands Returned to Japan: The United States officially returned the Iwo Jima and Bonin Islands to Japan, marking a significant post-World War II territorial transfer and symbolizing the evolving diplomatic relations between the two nations.
27 Jun 1968 Manifest of 2000 Words Published in Prague: On June 27, 1968, Czech writer and journalist Ludvík Vaculík published the influential 'Manifest of 2000 Words' (Manifest dvou tisíc slov) during the Prague Spring period. This powerful document was a critical critique of the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, calling for democratic reforms, freedom of expression, and political liberalization. The manifesto became a significant symbol of resistance against Soviet-style totalitarian control and represented the intellectual movement seeking greater political openness.
28 Jun 1968 Daniel Ellsberg Pentagon Papers Indictment: Daniel Ellsberg was formally indicted for leaking the classified Pentagon Papers, a pivotal moment in American political history that exposed secret government documents about the Vietnam War and challenged government transparency.
30 Jun 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty opens for signature, marking a critical international effort to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote peaceful nuclear technology.