What happened in August 1968?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1968, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Aug 1🏛️ Czech Optimism Grows – Czechs express optimism as talks with Russians near conclusion, easing tensions after polemical speeches.
- Aug 2🏘️ Johnson's Housing Program – President Johnson approves a significant initiative aimed at providing housing for the poor in the United States.
- Aug 3👨🚀 New Fireproof Space Suit – Astronauts showcase a redesigned fireproof space suit, enhancing flexibility and safety for future missions.
- Aug 4🏗️ Belgium's New Barges Ramp – A new ramp in Belgium lifts ships 211 feet on the Charleroi-Brussels Canal, solving a significant logistical challenge.
- Aug 5🎨 Czech Victory Confirmed – Dubcek confirms a Prague victory in six-nation talks, asserting new scope for Czechoslovak reforms amid public demand for truth.
- Aug 6🏛️ Convention Bars Discrimination – The Convention Rules Committee moves to bar racial discrimination in party affairs, a significant step towards inclusivity.
- Aug 7🌍 World Bank Aid Increase – World Bank announces plans to increase aid to less-developed countries to offset U.S. funding cuts, doubling this year's lending program.
- Aug 8🌍 Nixon Wins Nomination – Richard Nixon secures the Republican presidential nomination on the first ballot at the convention in Chicago.
- Aug 9🗳️ Nixon Selects Agnew – Nixon chooses Spiro Agnew as his running mate, overcoming opposition at the Republican Convention.
- Aug 10📈 Stock Prices Dip – Stock prices fell in a quiet session, with declines leading the list. Volume dropped sharply despite late gains.
- Aug 11🚣 Rowing Title Won – Potomac Club oarsmen Hough-Johnson win the pairs with coxswain race at Orchard Beach, showcasing their rowing skills.
- Aug 12🏆 Nicklaus Wins Akron – Jack Nicklaus defeats Elder on the 5th extra hole to secure victory at the Akron tournament, showcasing his golfing prowess.
- Aug 13🌍 Pope Prioritizes Biafrans – Pope calls for urgent action to save lives in Biafra, emphasizing humanitarian needs amid ongoing conflict.
- Aug 14🌍 Biafrans Request Delay – Biafran delegates seek to postpone peace talks in Nigeria as tensions rise amid ongoing conflict.
- Aug 15🚀 Interplanetary Flight Program – Academy of Sciences urges a 7-year plan for U.S. interplanetary missions, including potential Jupiter exploration.
- Aug 16🌕 Lunar Sea Renaming – A Soviet astronaut proposes renaming a lunar sea to 'Ocean of Gagarin' at a U.N. meeting to honor the first man in space.
- Aug 17🏅 Olympic Test Events – Olympic candidates compete at full distances in a high-altitude test, expected to yield slower times than at sea level.
- Aug 18🏛️ Eisenhower's Critical State – Former President Eisenhower remains in critical condition, having lost consciousness twice but showing some stability.
- Aug 19🌊 Landslide in Japan – 102 people feared dead as two buses are swept into a river during typhoon rains in Honshu, with 28 bodies recovered.
- Aug 20🏦 Prime Rate Cut – Carolina Bank reduces its prime rate to 6.25%, signaling potential shifts in economic conditions.
- Aug 21🕊️ Czechoslovakia's Reform Hopes – Russians intrude on Czechoslovakia's aspirations for democracy, challenging the reformers' goals of freedom and a socialist economy.
- Aug 22🕊️ Prague Defies Tanks – People of Prague scream defiance at Soviet tanks during the occupation, showcasing resistance against oppression.
- Aug 23✝️ Pope Paul Visits Bogotá – Pope Paul opens his visit to Bogotá, greeted by 500,000 people, calling for progress that includes all social classes.
- Aug 24🗳️ Czechs Stage General Strike – Czechoslovakia's general strike aims to end the crisis through direct discussions with Soviet leaders in Moscow.
- Aug 25🕊️ Tito and Ceausescu Meet – Tito and Ceausescu confer after Soviet criticism of their policies regarding Czechoslovakia, discussing regional stability.
- Aug 26🕊️ Anglicans End Parley – Anglican leaders concluded the Lambeth Conference with a service at St. Paul's, urging prayers for Czechoslovakia.
- Aug 27🕊️ Czech Compromise Reached – Czech leaders return from talks with Moscow, reporting a compromise agreement amid ongoing tensions in the region.
- Aug 28🗳️ Czech Protesters Decry Deal – Czech leaders Dubcek and Svoboda urge calm as protesters denounce a new Soviet agreement as capitulation.
- Aug 29🏅 Olympic Trial Record – Miss Meyer sets a world record in the 800 freestyle final during Olympic trials, timing in at 9:10.4.
- Aug 30🏛️ Democratic Convention Turmoil – Vice President Humphrey and Muskie accept nominations amid protests and riots at the Democratic National Convention.
- Aug 31🗳️ Humphrey Takes Control – Vice President Hubert Humphrey assumes control of the Democratic Party, appointing O'Brien as national chairman and campaign manager.
Happy Birthday! 1968 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1968 in real headlines. See the 1968 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: