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

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

  • 01 Dec 1968 Broadway musical premiere of 'Promises, Promises': The Broadway musical 'Promises, Promises' premiered on December 1, 1968. The show, based on the film 'The Apartment,' featured music by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, becoming a significant success in its time. source: broadwayworld.com
  • 02 Dec 1968 Nixon appoints Kissinger as National Security Advisor: On December 2, 1968, President Richard Nixon appointed Henry Kissinger as his National Security Advisor. This appointment marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War era. source: nytimes.com
  • 03 Dec 1968 Elvis Presley's legendary comeback special: Elvis Presley’s '68 Comeback Special' aired on December 3, 1968, marking his return to live performance after years in Hollywood. The special revitalized his career and showcased his musical talent. source: rollingstone.com
  • 04 Dec 1968 The Rolling Stones release iconic album *Beggars Banquet*: On December 4, 1968, The Rolling Stones released their album *Beggars Banquet*, which is widely regarded as one of their greatest works. The album features classic tracks such as 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man,' reflecting the social upheaval of the time. Its release marked a significant evolution in the band's musical style. source: rollingstone.com
  • 05 Dec 1968 Rolling Stones release 'Beggar's Banquet' album: The Rolling Stones released their influential album 'Beggar's Banquet' on December 5, 1968. This album is noted for its raw sound and lyrical depth, featuring songs that addressed contemporary social issues. It is often cited as a turning point in the band's career and in rock music history. source: rollingstone.com
  • 06 Dec 1968 The Rolling Stones release 'Beggars Banquet': The Rolling Stones released their seventh studio album, 'Beggars Banquet', on December 6, 1968. The album marked a return to their blues roots and included tracks like 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man'. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 07 Dec 1968 Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 launched: On December 7, 1968, NASA launched the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 (OAO-2), nicknamed 'Stargazer.' This mission marked the first successful space telescope, providing ultraviolet observations of celestial objects and contributing to significant astronomical discoveries. source: guinnessworldrecords.com
  • 08 Dec 1968 Graham Nash leaves The Hollies to form Crosby, Stills & Nash: On December 8, 1968, Graham Nash departed The Hollies to join David Crosby and Stephen Stills, forming the supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash. This decision followed Nash's dissatisfaction with The Hollies' musical direction and his desire to pursue more complex songwriting. The trio's first performance together occurred in Joni Mitchell's living room, leading to their successful collaboration. source: rhino.com
  • 09 Dec 1968 Douglas Engelbart's groundbreaking computer demonstration: On December 9, 1968, Douglas Engelbart presented a pioneering computer demonstration in San Francisco, showcasing the 'oN-Line System' (NLS). This demonstration introduced revolutionary concepts such as the computer mouse, hypertext, and video conferencing, laying the foundation for modern computing. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 10 Dec 1968 Death of Thomas Merton: Thomas Merton, an American Trappist monk and author, died on December 10, 1968, in Samut Prakan, Thailand, after attending a monastic conference. He was found in his room with a short-circuited floor fan nearby, leading to speculation that he died from heart failure and an electric shock. His body was returned to the United States and he was buried at the Abbey of Gethsemani. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 11 Dec 1968 'Oliver!' film release in the United States: The film 'Oliver!', based on the 1960 stage musical and Charles Dickens' novel 'Oliver Twist', premiered in the United States on December 11, 1968. Directed by Carol Reed, the film received critical acclaim and won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 12 Dec 1968 Rolling Stones film 'Rock and Roll Circus': The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus was a concert film featuring The Rolling Stones, filmed in December 1968. The film was not released until 1996, but it has since been recognized as a significant document of the band's early career. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 13 Dec 1968 Brazil's AI-5: Suspension of Civil Liberties: On December 13, 1968, Brazilian President Artur da Costa e Silva issued Institutional Act Number Five (AI-5), granting the government unprecedented powers, including the suspension of habeas corpus and the ability to rule by decree, marking a significant escalation in the military dictatorship's repression. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 14 Dec 1968 The Rolling Stones Release 'Beggars Banquet': On December 14, 1968, The Rolling Stones released their album 'Beggars Banquet,' featuring tracks like 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man,' which became iconic in the rock genre. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 16 Dec 1968 Vatican Council Rescinds Edict of Expulsion of Jews: On December 16, 1968, the Spanish government formally rescinded the 476-year-old Alhambra Decree, which had expelled Jews from Spain in 1492. This act was part of the Vatican's efforts to reconcile with the Jewish community following the Second Vatican Council. source: jta.org
  • 20 Dec 1968 Zodiac Killer's first confirmed double murder: On December 20, 1968, the Zodiac Killer committed his first confirmed double murder in Vallejo, California, targeting high school students Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday. This event marked the beginning of a series of murders attributed to the unidentified serial killer, who would later taunt police and the media with cryptic letters. source: history.com
  • 21 Dec 1968 Joseph W. Barr becomes US Treasury Secretary: Joseph W. Barr was appointed as the U.S. Treasury Secretary on December 21, 1968, serving under President Lyndon B. Johnson. His tenure was marked by economic challenges, including inflation and the need for fiscal reforms. source: treasurydirect.gov
  • 22 Dec 1968 Mao's Cultural Revolution directive on intellectual youth: On December 22, 1968, Mao Zedong issued directives during China's Cultural Revolution that targeted intellectual youth, promoting the idea that they should be sent to the countryside for re-education. This policy aimed to align the youth with revolutionary ideals and reduce the influence of intellectualism. source: britannica.com
  • 24 Dec 1968 Apollo 8: Historic Lunar Mission and Return Trajectory: On December 24, 1968, Apollo 8 became the first crewed spacecraft to orbit the Moon. The mission, launched on December 21, 1968, by astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders, demonstrated a lunar trajectory and was the first manned launch of the Saturn V rocket. source: nasa.gov
  • 25 Dec 1968 Kilvenmani Massacre: Tragic Violence Against Dalits: On December 25, 1968, in Kizhavenmani village, Tamil Nadu, India, a group of approximately 44 Dalit laborers and their families were killed by a gang allegedly led by their landlords. The attackers surrounded the village, set fire to huts, and shot at the residents, resulting in the deaths of 20 women and 19 children. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 27 Dec 1968 Apollo 8 returns to Earth: Apollo 8, the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon, successfully returned to Earth on December 27, 1968. The mission was a significant milestone in the U.S. space program, showcasing human spaceflight capabilities and lunar exploration. source: nasa.gov
  • 28 Dec 1968 The Beatles' White Album tops charts: On December 28, 1968, The Beatles' self-titled album, commonly known as the White Album, reached the top of the charts. This double album showcased the band's diverse musical styles and solidified their influence in popular music. source: rollingstone.com
  • 29 Dec 1968 Israeli commando operation in Lebanon: On December 29, 1968, Israeli commandos conducted a raid in Lebanon targeting Palestinian guerrilla bases. This operation was part of ongoing tensions in the region and aimed to disrupt militant activities against Israel. source: bbc.com
  • 30 Dec 1968 R&B chart dominance: On December 30, 1968, several artists dominated the R&B charts, reflecting the vibrant music scene of the time. Notable tracks included those by prominent artists, showcasing the genre's influence in popular music. source: billboard.com
  • 31 Dec 1968 First supersonic civilian airliner flight: The first flight of the Concorde, the world's first supersonic civilian airliner, took place on December 31, 1968. This marked a significant milestone in aviation history, paving the way for faster air travel. source: britannica.com