What happened in May 1968?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1968, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1🏛️ Celtics Beat Lakers – Celtics win 120-117 in overtime against Lakers, taking a 3-2 lead in the title series with Nelson as key player.
- May 2📈 Market Climbs Higher – The Dow Index rises 0.98, marking the seventh consecutive session of gains despite profit-taking in the stock market.
- May 3🎉 Half-Million See Parade – A massive parade in Jerusalem draws half a million attendees, showcasing Israeli pride despite U.N. resolutions.
- May 4🎨 Art Installation Showcases Equality – Lila Katzen's light box art creates patterns for viewers, promoting racial equality at a special exhibition.
- May 5🚀 Soviet Space Advances – Experts anticipate a return flight from the Moon and lunar soil samples from the Soviet Union.
- May 6🎶 Avant-Garde Series Ends – The Avant-Garde music series concludes, showcasing styles from Copland to Moss that have become less shocking over time.
- May 7🎭 Theater Highlights Addiction – A new play, 'The Concept', depicts the struggles of narcotics victims and their recovery, opening in Sheridan Square.
- May 8🏛️ Hanoi Talks Begin – A group from Hanoi arrives in Paris for peace talks, with optimism expressed by a high official among the 23 delegates.
- May 9🕊️ Peace Talks Expected – France anticipates full peace negotiations in Paris between the U.S. and North Vietnam, signaling potential diplomatic progress.
- May 10🕊️ Hopeful Vietnam Talks – Both sides express optimism as U.S. and North Vietnam negotiators meet in Paris for peace talks aimed at ending the conflict.
- May 11🎨 Animals Through Artists – A unique exhibition showcases animals depicted by various artists, blending art and nature in a captivating display.
- May 12🏛️ Paris Peace Talks Progress – Delegates at Paris peace talks express satisfaction with procedures, barring N.L.F. and Saigon for now.
- May 13📷 General Strike in France – A general strike supporting students begins in France, with universities invaded as Pompidou pledges to address major grievances.
- May 14✊ Massive Worker Protests – Hundreds of thousands of French workers and students joined protests across cities, demanding social and political reforms.
- May 15📰 Prague Leaders Outline Reforms – Prague's leaders announce reforms, including a new charter emphasizing citizens' rights and economic changes, welcomed by Western capitals.
- May 16🌪️ Twisters Kill 35 – Tornadoes strike Iowa, Arkansas, and Illinois, resulting in 35 fatalities and hundreds injured across the three states.
- May 17🌪️ Tornado Death Toll Rises – Tornadoes across 11 states leave 72 dead and 1,000 injured, causing widespread destruction and homelessness.
- May 18🔬 Advanced Computer Links – A new advanced process computer successfully links a vast power network of utility grids, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
- May 19⚽ West Bromwich Wins Cup – West Bromwich Albion defeats Everton 1-0 in overtime to win the English Soccer Cup before 100,000 fans.
- May 20🏛️ Columbia Campus Sit-In – Columbia University disciplines 500 students for participating in a campus sit-in, summoning 25 to the Dean's office.
- May 21🏭 France Near Paralysis – Millions of workers strike in France, occupying factories and offices, as political leaders seek to avoid force amid rising tensions.
- May 22💰 Gold Prices Surge – Gold reaches new highs as currencies decline, with the pound dropping in London and the franc at its lowest in 2.5 years.
- May 23🚁 Copter Crash Kills 23 – A helicopter returning from Disneyland to Los Angeles crashes off the coast, resulting in 23 fatalities.
- May 24📷 Parisian Youths Clash – Hundreds hurt as students clash with police in Paris, protesting against government actions and calling for mass demonstrations.
- May 25🎭 Bolshoi Stars Perform – The Bolshoi Ballet performs excerpts from 'Swan Lake' at the Met, showcasing renowned dancers including Plisetskaya.
- May 26🏆 U.S. Tennis Victory – U.S. clinches the zone tennis title as Smith and Lutz defeat Mexican opponents in doubles competition.
- May 27🫀 Heart and Kidney Transplant – Two successful organ transplants reported in Brazil, marking a significant achievement in medical science.
- May 28⚖️ Thalidomide Trial Begins – Trial in West Germany links thalidomide use during pregnancy to severe deformities in babies.
- May 29🏗️ $5-Billion Housing Bill – Senate votes 67 to 4 on a $5-billion housing plan to provide 1.2 million units for lower-income families over three years.
- May 30🏛️ High Court Stormed – Demonstrators storm the High Court building, protesting against poverty and demanding government action.
- May 31🏁 Bobby Unser Wins Indy – Bobby Unser secures victory at the Indianapolis 500, achieving a record speed of 152.8 mph despite three turbine failures.
Happy Birthday! 1968 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1968 in real headlines. See the 1968 book →