What happened in December 1968?
The top front-page story of each day in December 1968, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Dec 1🏀 Celtics Win Overtime – Celtics defeat 76ers 117-113 in an overtime thriller, with Howell leading the rally for Boston.
- Dec 2🌍 Worldwide Trade Surge – Global trade surpasses $200 billion for the first time, signaling significant economic growth, according to the Monetary Fund.
- Dec 3🏙️ Prague Underpass Opens – A new pedestrian underpass with shops opens beneath Wenceslas Square, enhancing urban infrastructure in Prague.
- Dec 4✈️ Pilot Ditches Plane – A 22-year-old pilot ditched a stolen plane in the Atlantic Ocean after a police chase, highlighting aviation security issues.
- Dec 5📚 Civil Rights Edict Issued – A Jersey town receives a civil rights edict mandating school integration, requiring union approval by December 14.
- Dec 6🎨 Godard's New Film Project – Jean-Luc Godard explores the intersection of theater and documentary in his upcoming film with ten sequences filmed in the U.S.
- Dec 7🚀 NATO Emergency Fleet Weighed – NATO assesses a quick-reaction unit amid rising tensions, as the Soviet Union criticizes U.S. naval plans in the Black Sea.
- Dec 8💼 Monetary Reform Proposed – Plans for more flexibility in international currency trading gain support under U.S. study.
- Dec 9🏙️ Cities Urge Urban Policy – Leaders from various cities call for a national urban policy, urging it to be a priority for the incoming administration.
- Dec 10🌍 Rusk Joins Foundation – Former Secretary of State Dean Rusk will assume a post at the Rockefeller Foundation after January 20.
- Dec 11📈 Stock Prices Decline – Stock prices slip after early gains, closing at the lowest levels of the day with declines outpacing rises.
- Dec 12📺 Nixon Presents Cabinet – Nixon unveils his new cabinet on television, pledging to seek peace and unity among Republicans and address national issues.
- Dec 13🏛️ Ancient City Discovered – Archeologists believe they have found Sybaris, an ancient city known for its luxury, in Southern Italy.
- Dec 14🔬 Unknown Virus Linked – Scientists study a new virus potentially associated with bone cancer, exploring its role as a possible cause.
- Dec 15🏅 Cordero Wins Again – Cordero secures his second win, totaling 319, extending his lead over Pineda to four in a thrilling race.
- Dec 16🌍 Common Market Money Plan – The Common Market announces a new plan to shift capital from surplus to deficit nations, aiming to stabilize the economy.
- Dec 17🚀 Apollo 8 Health Check – Apollo 8 astronauts are reported in 'fine' health ahead of their historic mission to the Moon, with doctors conducting a pre-launch check-up.
- Dec 18🏛️ Nixon Supports U.N. Efforts – President Nixon meets with U.N. Secretary-General Thant, pledging support for peace initiatives and naming new economic advisers.
- Dec 19🎭 Theater: 'Horse Johnson' – Jack Klugman stars in 'Horse Johnson' at Belasco, marking a significant theatrical event.
- Dec 20🚀 Final Countdown On – Commander of three astronauts reports they are ready for the upcoming moon shot, with equipment tested and preparations underway.
- Dec 21📉 Market Rally Fails – Stock prices resume a downtrend as the market rally fails to continue, with the DOW losing 8.15 points.
- Dec 22🌌 Successful Olympic Games – Olympic Games highly successful for the U.S., winning 45 gold medals despite challenges like boycotts and unrest.
- Dec 23🚀 Apollo 8 TV Show – Astronauts aboard Apollo 8 give a live television show from space, 139,000 miles from Earth, as they prepare for their historic lunar mission.
- Dec 24🌕 Apollo 8 Nears Moon – Apollo 8 spacecraft approaches the Moon, preparing for orbit. Crew sends back stunning photos of Earth from space.
- Dec 25🌕 Apollo 8 Moon Orbit – Apollo 8 astronauts orbit the Moon, capturing stunning images and reading from Genesis, marking a historic space exploration milestone.
- Dec 26🎾 U.S. Davis Cup Lead – Graebner wins a five-set match against Bowrey, giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the Davis Cup tennis final.
- Dec 27🌍 Apollo 8 Returns – Apollo 8 crew prepares for Pacific landing after successful moon mission, sharing stunning Earth images.
- Dec 28🚀 Apollo 8 Splashdown – Apollo 8 astronauts return safely from their historic mission, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean after a successful lunar orbit.
- Dec 29🚢 New Miami Terminal Opens – A new seaport passenger terminal in Miami is set to open, promising to reduce ship clearance times significantly.
- Dec 30🌕 Apollo Moon Photos Released – Astronauts share stunning photographs of both sides of the Moon, showcasing their historic journey and discoveries.
- Dec 31🚆 New Train Debuts – The Long Island Rail Road introduces a new train with a late run to Penn Station, marking a significant upgrade in service.
Happy Birthday! 1968 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1968 in real headlines. See the 1968 book →
Born in December? Pick the day
Every birthday in December has its own On This Day in Headlines book: