What happened in October 1968?
The top front-page story of each day in October 1968, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Oct 1🚀 NASA's Uncertain Future – NASA marks its 10th anniversary facing challenges and a lack of clear direction after the Apollo program.
- Oct 2🌍 New World Money Plan – U.S., supported by Japan, India, and Canada, accelerates plan for Special Drawing Rights to establish new global currency.
- Oct 3🌾 Saigon Gifts Miracle Rice – Saigon presents the U.S. with 'Miracle Rice' in a symbolic gesture, highlighting advancements in Vietnam's agricultural practices.
- Oct 4🏅 Olympics Will Proceed – Brundage confirms the Olympics will occur despite recent riots, assuring that athletes' presence is unaffected.
- Oct 5🏇 Nevele Pride Wins – Nevele Pride ties record by winning Kentucky Futurity, completing the Triple Crown in two heats.
- Oct 6🏌️ U.S. Women Win Golf – U.S. women retain World Amateur Golf Team Title in Melbourne, defeating Australia by five strokes.
- Oct 7⚾ Cards Beat Tigers, 10-1 – The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers 10-1, leading the World Series 3-1. Gibson hit a homer, and Brock excelled with three hits.
- Oct 8🏅 U.S. Team Welcomed – The U.S. Olympic team is honored in a flag-raising ceremony, joined by delegations from three other nations in Mexico.
- Oct 9🕊️ Israel Peace Proposal – Israel presents a peace proposal at the U.N., linking troop withdrawal to secure borders, emphasizing a new approach to negotiations.
- Oct 10🚀 Apollo 7 Preparations – Saturn 5 rocket is transported to its launch pad as preparations for the Apollo 7 manned flight progress smoothly.
- Oct 11🚀 Space Capsule Redesigned – $400 million spent on redesigning space capsule for safety, featuring stainless steel and quick exit hatch.
- Oct 12🚀 Apollo 7 Mission Success – Apollo 7 astronauts complete an 11-day mission, marking a significant step towards the moon landing. NASA celebrates the successful test.
- Oct 13🏅 Olympics Stir Emotions – Mexican crowd celebrates the Olympic flame lighting, showcasing pride and joy during the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
- Oct 14🚀 Apollo 7 in Orbit – Apollo 7 crew enjoys a restful day in orbit, preparing for new engine tests and addressing minor health issues.
- Oct 15🚀 Apollo Craft Transmits TV – The U.S. audience views astronauts aboard the Apollo craft, showcasing space exploration and technology advancements.
- Oct 16🚀 Apollo Moon Shot Hopes – Apollo spacecraft orbits well on its fifth day, raising hopes for a circumlunar flight beginning December 20.
- Oct 17🚀 Relaxed Astronauts Fly – Astronauts enjoy the second half of their 11-day lunar flight test, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
- Oct 18🏊 U.S. Swimmers Break Records – American swimmers set new world records in both men's and women's relay events at a major competition.
- Oct 19🏅 Beamon Sets World Record – Bob Beamon's long jump of 29-2 1/2 and Rickey Evans's 43.8-second 400-meter dash set new world records at the Olympics.
- Oct 20🔬 MIT Waste Disposal Findings – MIT reports that current waste disposal methods are only slightly improved from those of the 19th century, highlighting a need for modernization.
- Oct 21🏃 Ethiopian Wins Marathon – Wolde of Ethiopia triumphs in the marathon with a time of 2:20:26.4, followed by Japan's Kimihara and New Zealand's Ryan.
- Oct 22🚀 Apollo 7 Lands Today – Apollo 7 is set to land in the Atlantic after an 11-day orbital mission, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- Oct 23🌕 U.S. Prepares Moon Shot – NASA gears up for a December mission to send astronauts around the Moon, following a successful Apollo 7 test.
- Oct 24🏊 Kaye Hall Breaks Record – Kaye Hall breaks the world record in the 100-meter backstroke, contributing to the U.S. winning six more gold medals at the Olympics.
- Oct 25🏊 Debbie Meyer Wins Gold – Debbie Meyer secures gold in the 800-meter freestyle, contributing to the U.S. total of 18 gold medals in the Olympics.
- Oct 26👁️ New Contact Lens – Innovative contact lens softens in water, conforming to eye curvature and adjusting to tear flow.
- Oct 27🚀 Soviet Astronaut in Orbit – Soyuz 3 pilot becomes the first Russian in space since April 1967, flying near an unmanned ship.
- Oct 28🚀 Soviet Spaceship Rendezvous – Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 3 successfully completed a 90-minute docking technique test, showcasing advancements in space exploration.
- Oct 29🗺️ Czech Protest Rally – Thousands of Czechs march in Prague, protesting against the Soviet occupation as the nation celebrates its 50th anniversary.
- Oct 30📚 New Presidential Library – Johnson calls for the University of Texas project to be the best presidential library in the world.
- Oct 31🏛️ Czechs, Slovaks Federation – Czech-Slovak Federalization Act signed, effective January 1, marking a key goal for the liberal regime amid Soviet caution.
Happy Birthday! 1968 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1968 in real headlines. See the 1968 book →
Born in October? Pick the day
Every birthday in October has its own On This Day in Headlines book: