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

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

  • 01 Oct 1968 Night of the Living Dead Premieres: On October 1st, 1968, George A. Romero's groundbreaking horror film 'Night of the Living Dead' premiered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This low-budget independent film would revolutionize the zombie genre, introducing social commentary and a new style of horror that challenged racial stereotypes and societal norms of the late 1960s.
  • 02 Oct 1968 Tlatelolco Massacre: Student Suppression in Mexico: Mexican President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz ordered soldiers to violently suppress a peaceful student demonstration, escalating tensions just days before the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
  • 03 Oct 1968 US Nuclear Test in Nevada: The United States conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, continuing Cold War-era nuclear weapons development and testing programs that were characteristic of the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
  • 05 Oct 1968 Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association March in Derry: A pivotal moment in Northern Irish history where police violently suppressed a civil rights march in Derry, which is widely considered the symbolic start of 'The Troubles' - a three-decade-long period of sectarian conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. The brutal police response to peaceful demonstrators escalated tensions and marked a turning point in the region's political and social landscape.
  • 07 Oct 1968 Civil Rights Tensions in Northern Ireland: Ongoing rioting erupts in Derry, Northern Ireland, following a civil rights march that was forcibly dispersed by the Royal Ulster Constabulary two days earlier, highlighting the escalating sectarian tensions in the region.
  • 08 Oct 1968 Vietnam War: Operation Sealords Launched: United States and South Vietnamese forces initiated Operation Sealords in the Mekong Delta, a strategic military campaign aimed at disrupting Viet Cong operations and securing critical waterways during the Vietnam War.
  • 09 Oct 1968 Marines Return to Khe Sanh Base: American Marines returned to the strategically significant Khe Sanh combat base, 92 days after abandoning it. Major General Raymond Davis characterized the ground operation as symbolizing a major power shift between Allied forces and North Vietnamese troops along the demilitarized zone.
  • 10 Oct 1968 Apollo 7 Mission Launch: NASA launches the first manned Apollo mission with astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham. This historic flight achieved significant milestones, including the first live television broadcast from space and critical testing of lunar module docking procedures, marking a pivotal moment in the Space Race and human space exploration.
  • 11 Oct 1968 Apollo 7 Mission Launch: NASA launches Apollo 7, the first successful crewed Apollo mission. The mission is commanded by Navy Cmdr. Walter Schirra, Jr., and features three astronauts: Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham. The flight includes 163 orbits in 260 hours and is notable for being the first to feature a live television broadcast from inside an orbiting spaceship.
  • 12 Oct 1968 XIX Olympic Games in Mexico City: The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, are held in Mexico City from October 12 to October 27. This historic sporting event brings together athletes from around the world in a landmark international competition.
  • 13 Oct 1968 Passing of Bea Benaderet, Television Actress: Bea Benaderet, a prominent American comedian and actress best known for her role in the popular rural sitcom Petticoat Junction, passed away on October 13, 1968. She was a significant figure in early television comedy, known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing.
  • 14 Oct 1968 Jim Hines Breaks 10-Second Barrier in Olympic 100m Sprint: In a historic moment at the Mexico City Olympics, James Hines of the United States became the first athlete to break the ten-second barrier in the 100 meters sprint, achieving an extraordinary time of 9.95 seconds. This groundbreaking performance would remain unmatched until 1983, marking a significant milestone in track and field history.
  • 15 Oct 1968 Black Power Salute at 1968 Mexico City Olympics: During the Olympic men's 200 metres medal ceremony, African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black-gloved fists in a powerful Black Power salute, creating an iconic moment of civil rights protest on an international stage. Their gesture symbolized the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States.
  • 16 Oct 1968 1968 Olympic Black Power Salute: During the medal ceremony in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City, African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists during the US national anthem to protest racial discrimination. Smith won the 200-meter race with a world-record time of 19.83 seconds, Carlos finished third with 20.10 seconds. Australian Peter Norman, who finished second, wore an Olympic Project for Human Rights pin in solidarity with their protest.
  • 17 Oct 1968 Black Athletes' Silent Protest at Mexico City Olympics: During the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, African American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos made a powerful silent protest against racial inequality by raising their black-gloved fists during the medal ceremony for the 200-meter sprint. This iconic moment became a landmark symbol of the civil rights movement, drawing international attention to racial discrimination in the United States.
  • 18 Oct 1968 Bob Beamon's Historic Long Jump World Record: At the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, Bob Beamon set an extraordinary world record in the long jump, leaping an incredible 8.90 meters. This phenomenal achievement was so remarkable that it stood unbroken for 23 years and was later recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the five greatest sporting moments of the 20th century. Beamon's jump was so exceptional that it momentarily stunned competitors and became a legendary moment in Olympic history.
  • 19 Oct 1968 Michael Wendon Olympic Swimming Record: Australian swimmer Michael Wendon achieved a remarkable feat at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, setting a new world record of 52.2 seconds in the men's 100m freestyle swimming event. This performance highlighted Australia's strong swimming tradition and individual athletic excellence.
  • 20 Oct 1968 Jacqueline Kennedy Marries Aristotle Onassis: Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy marries Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in a high-profile wedding that captured global media attention.
  • 21 Oct 1968 Pentagon Riot of October 21, 1967: Anti-Vietnam War Protest: On October 21, 1967, a massive anti-Vietnam War demonstration unfolded in Washington D.C., organized by the Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam. Approximately 35,000 protesters converged near the Pentagon, with a smaller, more aggressive group breaching the building's perimeter. The event escalated into a significant confrontation between protesters and law enforcement. Key details include: - 682 total arrests - 47 injuries among demonstrators, soldiers, and U.S. Marshals - Unique deployment of U.S. Deputy Marshals as primary arresting authority - Symbolic representation of civilian control over military operations The protest highlighted the deep social divisions surrounding the Vietnam War and marked a pivotal moment in American civil protest movements.
  • 22 Oct 1968 Apollo 7 Mission Successful Return: The Apollo 7 spacecraft, carrying astronauts Walter Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham, successfully completed its mission and returned to Earth after an important orbital flight. The mission was crucial in restoring NASA's confidence after the tragic Apollo 1 fire and demonstrated the spacecraft's capabilities for future lunar missions.
  • 23 Oct 1968 First Indigenous Indian Warship Launched: The INS Nilgiri, a landmark achievement for the Indian Navy, was launched into the Arabian Sea from the Mazagon Dock Limited. This vessel represented India's growing naval capabilities and technological self-sufficiency, being the first warship entirely constructed within the country.
  • 25 Oct 1968 Led Zeppelin's First Live Performance: Rock band Led Zeppelin made their inaugural live performance at Surrey University in England, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most influential rock bands in music history.
  • 26 Oct 1968 Soviet Space Rendezvous: Soyuz 3 Mission: The Soyuz 3 mission achieved the first Soviet space rendezvous, marking a significant milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  • 27 Oct 1968 19th Olympic Games Close in Mexico City: The 19th Summer Olympic Games concluded in Mexico City, marking the end of a historic international sporting event that brought together athletes from around the world.
  • 29 Oct 1968 Black Tuesday: Great Depression Begins: The New York Stock Exchange experienced Black Tuesday, a catastrophic economic event that signaled the onset of the Great Depression, causing massive financial losses and triggering a decade of economic hardship for the United States.
  • 30 Oct 1968 Jacqueline Kennedy Marries Aristotle Onassis: Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy marries Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis on the picturesque island of Scorpios, marking a significant personal transition after the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
  • 31 Oct 1968 US Halts Bombing of North Vietnam: President Lyndon B. Johnson orders a complete cessation of all air, naval, and artillery bombardment of North Vietnam, effective November 1, as a result of progress in the Paris peace talks.