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

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

  • 01 Mar 1968 Johnny Cash and June Carter marry in Franklin, Kentucky: On March 1, 1968, country music legends Johnny Cash and June Carter were married in Franklin, Kentucky. The couple had been performing together for years and had one child together, John Carter Cash, born in 1970. They remained married until June's death in May 2003. source: johnnycash.com
  • 02 Mar 1968 World Men's Figure Skating Championship: The World Men's Figure Skating Championship was held in Geneva, Switzerland, with Emmerich Danzer from Austria emerging as the champion.
  • 03 Mar 1968 Jean Beliveau reaches NHL milestone: On March 3, 1968, Jean Beliveau scored a goal in a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the second player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points, joining Gordie Howe. source: thehockeywriters.com
  • 04 Mar 1968 Nino Benvenuti regains middleweight title: On March 4, 1968, Italian boxer Nino Benvenuti defeated Emile Griffith by unanimous decision in a 15-round bout at Madison Square Garden, reclaiming the WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles. This victory marked the conclusion of their trilogy, with Benvenuti having previously won and lost to Griffith in 1967. source: britannica.com
  • 05 Mar 1968 East L.A. Student Walkouts Begin: On March 5, 1968, approximately 2,000 students from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles initiated a walkout to protest educational inequalities, marking the beginning of the East L.A. walkouts. This movement, involving thousands of students across multiple schools, highlighted systemic issues such as overcrowded classrooms, underqualified teachers, and a curriculum that marginalized Mexican-American culture. The protests were a significant catalyst for the Chicano civil rights movement. source: britannica.com
  • 07 Mar 1968 1968 Polish Student Protests: In early March 1968, Polish students initiated protests against censorship and political repression. The unrest began at the University of Warsaw, where students rallied for academic freedom and civil liberties. The demonstrations were met with force by the authorities, leading to widespread unrest across Poland. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 08 Mar 1968 Polish Political Crisis Erupts: On March 8, 1968, Poland experienced a significant political crisis as student protests against censorship and political repression escalated. The unrest led to confrontations between protesters and security forces, resulting in widespread arrests and heightened tensions. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 10 Mar 1968 Battle of Lima Site 85 in Laos: On March 10, 1968, North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao forces initiated an artillery barrage on the U.S. radar facility at Lima Site 85 atop Phou Pha Thi mountain in Laos, leading to the largest single ground combat loss of USAF personnel during the Vietnam War. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 11 Mar 1968 Lisa Loeb Birth: Lisa Loeb, an American singer-songwriter known for her hit single 'Stay (I Missed You)', is born in the United States.
  • 12 Mar 1968 Mauritius gains independence from United Kingdom: On March 12, 1968, Mauritius was granted independence from British rule. The ceremony took place in Port Louis, the capital, where Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam became the nation's first Prime Minister. The event marked the culmination of a long struggle involving multiple political parties, notably the Mauritius Labour Party and the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 14 Mar 1968 London Gold Pool suspension and British political upheaval: On March 14, 1968, the United States requested the British government to close the London gold market to address heavy demand for gold. The next day, the UK declared a bank holiday, closing banks and stock exchanges. This led to the dissolution of the London Gold Pool, a consortium of central banks established in 1961 to maintain the gold price at $35 per ounce. The closure marked a significant shift in international monetary policy. source: numismaticnews.net
  • 15 Mar 1968 My Lai Massacre during Vietnam War: On March 15, 1968, reports emerged about the My Lai Massacre, a tragic incident during the Vietnam War where U.S. soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians, including women and children. The massacre, which occurred in March 1968, was initially covered up but later became a significant point of controversy and criticism of U.S. military operations in Vietnam. source: brainyhistory.com
  • 16 Mar 1968 My Lai Massacre: On March 16, 1968, the My Lai Massacre occurred during the Vietnam War, where U.S. soldiers killed between 347 and 504 unarmed South Vietnamese civilians, including women and children. The incident, initially covered up, was later exposed, leading to widespread outrage and a reevaluation of U.S. military conduct in Vietnam. source: brainyhistory.com
  • 17 Mar 1968 LPGA Golf Tournament Win: Kathie Whitworth wins the LPGA Saint Petersburg Orange Blossom Golf Open, showcasing her skill in professional women's golf.
  • 18 Mar 1968 U.S. Congress repeals gold reserve requirement: On March 18, 1968, the U.S. Congress repealed the gold reserve requirement, allowing banks to hold reserves in other forms. This marked a significant shift in U.S. monetary policy, reflecting the changing economic landscape of the time. source: congress.gov
  • 19 Mar 1968 BBC first color television news broadcast: On March 19, 1968, the BBC aired its first color television news broadcast, marking a significant milestone in broadcasting history. This transition to color television represented advancements in technology and media during the late 1960s. source: bbc.co.uk
  • 20 Mar 1968 Political upheaval in South Yemen: On March 20, 1968, South Yemen experienced significant political upheaval, leading to changes in governance and increased tensions in the region. This event was part of the broader context of decolonization and political change in the Middle East. source: bbc.co.uk
  • 21 Mar 1968 Battle of Karameh: On March 21, 1968, Israeli forces launched an attack on the town of Karameh in Jordan, targeting the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) camps. The battle lasted 15 hours, resulting in casualties on both sides. The Jordanian army and PLO forces repelled the Israeli attack, leading to a perception of victory in the Arab world. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 23 Mar 1968 Joni Mitchell's debut album released: Joni Mitchell's debut studio album, 'Song to a Seagull,' was released on March 23, 1968. Produced by David Crosby, the album was recorded at Sunset Sound in Hollywood, California, and released by Reprise Records. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 25 Mar 1968 US Nuclear Test at Nevada Test Site: On March 25, 1968, the United States conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site, part of a series of tests during the Cold War. This test was part of the U.S. government's efforts to develop and maintain its nuclear arsenal amid ongoing tensions with the Soviet Union. source: nytimes.com
  • 26 Mar 1968 LBJ Declines Presidential Re-election: On March 26, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that he would not seek re-election. This decision came amid growing opposition to the Vietnam War and significant domestic challenges, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. political history. source: history.com
  • 27 Mar 1968 Suharto Becomes President of Indonesia: On March 27, 1968, Suharto was officially inaugurated as the President of Indonesia after a coup that ousted Sukarno. His presidency marked the beginning of a long authoritarian rule characterized by significant political and economic changes in the country. source: britannica.com
  • 28 Mar 1968 Birth of Nasser Hussain, English cricketer: Nasser Hussain, an English cricketer who captained the England cricket team from 1999 to 2003, was born on March 28, 1968, in Madras, India. He had an international career from 1990 to 2004. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 30 Mar 1968 Celine Dion's birth: Celine Dion, the Canadian singer known for her powerful vocals, was born on March 30, 1968, in Charlemagne, Quebec, Canada. She was the youngest of 14 children in a musically inclined family. source: biography.com
  • 31 Mar 1968 J.R. Reid NBA Player Born: J.R. Reid, future NBA forward who would play for the New York Knicks and Charlotte Hornets, is born.