Hello, I'm a historian with a focus on the 20th century. Let's delve into the significant events of 1968.

1968 was a year of global upheaval and cultural transformation. Here are some key events:


1. Vietnam War: The Tet Offensive launched by North Vietnam against South Vietnam and U.S. forces was a turning point, leading to increased opposition to the war in the United States.


2. Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King Jr. was assassated in April, sparking riots across the U.S. His death was a significant blow to the movement, but it also galvanized support for the passage of the Civil Rights Act.


3. Protests: There were widespread protests globally, notably the May 1968 events in France, which included general strikes and student protests that nearly brought down the government.


4. Space Race: The year also saw significant advancements in space exploration, with the Apollo 7 mission, the first manned mission of the Apollo program.


5. Mexico City Olympics: The Olympic Games were marred by controversy when two American athletes raised their fists in a Black Power salute during the medal ceremony.


6. Youth Culture: The counterculture movement was in full swing, with the Woodstock Music & Art Fair later in 1969 being a notable event that began in 1968.

7.
Cold War: The Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia was a brief period of political liberalization that was crushed by the Soviet-led invasion in August, marking a significant setback for the Eastern Bloc's reform movements.

8.
U.S. Politics: The U.S. presidential election saw Richard Nixon elected as President, promising to restore law and order.

9.
Music: The year was also pivotal for music, with the release of The Beatles' White Album and the emergence of new artists like Led Zeppelin.

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1963 Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a nonviolent direct action protest in Birmingham, Alabama to defy discrimination laws they considered unfair. ... The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., leader of the Civil Rights Movement, takes place in April of 1968 when he was killed by James Earl Ray.read more >>