The Importance of 1968, Lyndon's Presidency to US History

This year has been very important to not just America, but to the rest of the world as well. During the year of 1968 there were protests initiated by college students whose main purpose was to protest against the war and the draftings.During the Vietnam War, North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong attacked the South Vietnamese and the American soldiers. This resulted in an offensive against the Vietnamese holiday, Tet, and forced America to withdraw due to exposure by media. On a happier note, during this year, a new election has taken place and the Republican candidate, Richard Nixon has won as the next upcoming president.

What’s New in 1968?

The famous Walter Cronkite gives his opinion on the current Vietnam war, saying, “The US war effort is in stalemate.” Our president in office, Lyndon B Johnson also announces that he will not be running for re-election, which we believe might be best as his reputation is ruined. Hair, the musical, is introduced to Broadway. This musical sends out a message: Sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll, and a resistance against the war drafts. Civil Rights activist, Martin Luther King is shot and killed by James Earl Ray, white supremacist. Andy Warhol, leader of the pop art movement is shot and wounded by Valerie Solanas. Robert F. Kennedy is shot and killed at the Ambassador Hotel, his killer was captured at the scene. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty, which will reduce the amount of nuclear weaponry throughout the world. The first Special Olympics is created and over 1,000 athletes compete. The Beatles release their first single, “Hey Jude” and in a little over seven minutes, land themselves at number one on the Top Hot 100. CBS-TV’s “60 Minutes” debuts, making it the longest tv program in history. The Apollo 7 mission spends the longest time in space, more than all the Soviet flights combined and sends out the first live broadcast from space. Olympic Games in Mexico City, Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise gloved fists during the national anthem to protest violence toward and poverty among African-Americans. The next day, the International Olympic Committee strips their medals and sends them home.

Politics

Elected into office November 22, 1963, is Lyndon Baines Johnson. President Johnson has done several things while in office. President Johnson started his vision of a “Great Society” which became Johnson’s agenda. Johnson’s “Great Society” aided education, health and civil rights. With his 'Great Society' programs, he created Medicare and Medicaid, which went to help the poor or elderly with health insurance, and he also passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 went on to nearly banish discrimination whether it be based on sex, race, or education. The Voting Right Act of 1965 also helped prohibit discrimination against races by allowing all to vote. While his program seemed great, not everything went smoothly, his housing and urban renewal programs stirred up issues that slowly led to protests and riots and even bigger issues after being caught on television and reported about via the news. Johnson had some other troubles besides his “Great Society” program. He had failed to report the truth about the Gulf of Tonkin Incident which started America’s involvement in Vietnam. Johnson had tried to incorporate both his programs and the war together but failed in doing so, this resulted in a huge increase of unemployment and inflation. Regarding the recent election however, our candidates are Richard Nixon (Republican), Hubert Humphrey (Democrat), and George C. Wallace (American Independent). It has been said that Republican candidate, Richard nixon has won the election and will be inaugurated into office next year.

Current Events

During the Vietnam War, we have been informed that the North Vietnamese and their group, the Viet Cong, have attacked the South Vietnamese and our American soldiers. This is a serious offense regarding the fact that this day is considered their holiday, Tet. Even though we have won this attack, we believe that our confidence has drained, they have lied in saying that we are much more capable of defeating the North Vietnamese, and now thanks to our media sources we now have the truth. Senator Robert F Kennedy has been assassinated in the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968 after previously announcing his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. Martin Luther King Jr, Civil Rights activist and spokesperson was also assassinated. He was shot in the neck, and was critically wounded, Martin Luther King Jr was rushed to the Saint Joseph's Hospital in Memphis but was pronounced dead after an hour. In other news, the group of the Apollo 8 mission has orbited the moon, and has begun the first live broadcast in space. The group has now spent nearly a week in space and have made themselves known in another TIME Magazine. On October 16, 1968, at the Mexico City Olympics, Gold and Bronze medalists, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their gloved fists up for human rights throughout the national anthem and kept them raised until it had finished. Once they had left the podium, they were both booed by the people and were later asked about their motives.