How old were you in 1968?

There are many unforgettable moments from 1968 for many of us – it is regarded as a year of triumphs and tragedies. The avalanche of events played a huge role in shaping life and culture as we know it today.

In 1968, the world population was 3.5 billion and the Australian Prime Minister was John Gorton.

Here are some key moments from the year:

In January, North Korea captured the American Surveillance ship which sparked a crisis that threatened to increase Cold War tensions. In April, the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Then on the 5th of June, Robert F Kennedy (known as Bobby) was assassinated; he was 42 years old.

In less tragic news, Boeing introduced the first 747 “Jumbo Jet”, which revolutionised air travel. It had the ability to carry far more passengers than previous airlines. As well, later in the year Apollo 8 was the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon.  The astronauts circled the moon 10 times!

As well, in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, two black athletics stages a silent demonstration against racial discrimination in the United States. Do you remember this iconic moment?

In pop culture news, “In the Heat of the Night” by Walter Mirisch won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. In music, “Hey Jude” by The Beatles grabbed the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 followed by “Love is Blue” by Paul Mauriat and “Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro. Did you love these tracks?

What are your memories from 1968?