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

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

  • 01 Aug 1968 Coronation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei: On August 1, 1968, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was crowned as the 29th Sultan of Brunei in a traditional ceremony at Lapau, Brunei Town. The event was attended by foreign dignitaries, including Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysia's Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 02 Aug 1968 Casiguran Earthquake in the Philippines: On August 2, 1968, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines, causing significant destruction. The quake resulted in the collapse of the six-story Ruby Tower in Manila, leading to at least 270 fatalities and 261 injuries. Extensive landslides and fissures were observed in the mountainous areas near the epicenter, and a small tsunami was recorded as far as Japan. source: phivolcs.dost.gov.ph
  • 03 Aug 1968 Rod Beck birth: Rod Beck, an American professional baseball pitcher, was born on August 3, 1968. source: baseball-reference.com
  • 04 Aug 1968 North Central Airlines Flight 261 crash: North Central Airlines Flight 261 crashed on August 4, 1968, near the airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident resulted in the loss of all 39 passengers and crew on board, marking a significant event in aviation history. source: ntsb.gov
  • 05 Aug 1968 Republican National Convention nominates Nixon and Agnew: On August 5, 1968, the Republican National Convention officially nominated Richard Nixon for president and Spiro Agnew for vice president. This event was pivotal in shaping the political landscape of the United States during the late 1960s. source: archives.gov
  • 08 Aug 1968 Richard Nixon nominated at Republican National Convention: On August 8, 1968, former Vice President Richard Nixon was nominated as the Republican candidate for President at the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida. He secured the nomination on the first ballot, defeating competitors such as New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller and California Governor Ronald Reagan. Nixon's running mate was Maryland Governor Spiro Agnew. source: politico.com
  • 10 Aug 1968 Shirley Englehorn wins LPGA Concord Open: Shirley Englehorn won the LPGA Concord Open on August 10, 1968, finishing three strokes ahead of Sandra Haynie. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 11 Aug 1968 The Beatles Launch Apple Records: On August 11, 1968, The Beatles released their first single under their new label, Apple Records. The single featured "Hey Jude" backed with "Revolution," marking the official launch of the label. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 14 Aug 1968 Los Angeles Airways Flight 417 crashes in Compton, California: On August 14, 1968, Los Angeles Airways Flight 417, a Sikorsky S-61L helicopter, crashed in Compton, California, resulting in the deaths of all 21 people on board. The accident was caused by the separation of one of the helicopter's main rotor blades due to a fatigue fracture in the blade spindle. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 18 Aug 1968 Tragic bus accident in Japan: On August 18, 1968, two charter buses were caught in a landslide and fell into the Hida River in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, resulting in 104 fatalities. This remains one of Japan's worst bus accidents. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 20 Aug 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia: On August 20, 1968, Warsaw Pact troops, led by the Soviet Union, invaded Czechoslovakia to suppress the Prague Spring reforms, marking a significant event in the Cold War. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 21 Aug 1968 Romania condemns Soviet invasion: On August 21, 1968, Romania, under Nicolae Ceaușescu, publicly condemned the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, marking a rare act of defiance within the Warsaw Pact. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 22 Aug 1968 First Papal Visit to Latin America: On August 22, 1968, Pope Paul VI arrived in Bogotá, Colombia, marking the first visit of a pope to Latin America. This historic visit was part of the 39th International Eucharistic Congress and was significant for the Catholic community in the region. source: upi.com
  • 23 Aug 1968 Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees play 19-inning tie: On August 23, 1968, the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees played a 19-inning game that ended in a 3–3 tie due to a 1 a.m. curfew at Yankee Stadium. source: baseball-reference.com
  • 25 Aug 1968 Rocky Colavito pitches and homers for Yankees: On August 25, 1968, during a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, outfielder Rocky Colavito pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, earning the win. He also homered in the second game, contributing to the Yankees' 5-4 victory. source: baseball-reference.com
  • 26 Aug 1968 1968 Democratic National Convention begins: The 1968 Democratic National Convention commenced on August 26, 1968, in Chicago. The event was marked by significant political turmoil and protests, reflecting the divisions within the Democratic Party over the Vietnam War. source: britannica.com
  • 27 Aug 1968 Civil rights protest in Derry: On August 27, 1968, a civil rights protest took place in Derry, Northern Ireland. This event was part of a broader movement advocating for the rights of the Catholic minority in a predominantly Protestant region, leading to significant political changes. source: bbc.com
  • 28 Aug 1968 Police and anti-war demonstrators clash at Chicago's Democratic National Convention: On August 28, 1968, violent clashes occurred between police and anti-war demonstrators at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The confrontations were widely televised, highlighting the tensions of the era. source: britannica.com
  • 29 Aug 1968 1968 Democratic National Convention concludes amid chaos: The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago concluded on August 29, 1968, amid widespread protests and police violence. The convention, intended to nominate the Democratic candidate for the presidential election, was overshadowed by the unrest outside, leading to a contentious and chaotic conclusion. source: history.com
  • 30 Aug 1968 The Beatles release "Hey Jude" on Apple Records: On August 30, 1968, The Beatles released "Hey Jude," a song written by Paul McCartney for John Lennon's son, Julian. The single, released on Apple Records, became one of the band's most successful songs, topping charts worldwide. source: beatlesbible.com
  • 31 Aug 1968 Devastating Iran earthquake: On August 31, 1968, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Iran's Khorasan province, killing over 15,000 people and destroying numerous villages. source: en.wikipedia.org