AA125 1968 Historical Events

  • Founding of the Black Panther Party's Free Breakfast Program

    Founding of the Black Panther Party's Free Breakfast Program
    Through the Black Panther Party, initiatives like The Free Breakfast for School Children Program were launched to uplift the African-American community, and in a way, protect and prevent these children from things like malnutrition and bad health by providing them with basic necessities like healthy food.
  • Memphis Sanitation Strike

    Memphis Sanitation Strike
    On February 12, 1968, 1,300 Black sanitation workers in Memphis began a strike to demand better working conditions and higher pay. Their stand marked an early fight for financial justice for workers of color as part of the civil rights movement.
  • Civil Rights Act of 1968

    Civil Rights Act of 1968
    Taking a crucial step towards addressing systemic racism beyond public spaces, the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also referred to as the Fair Housing Act. This legislation aimed to eliminate housing discrimination based on race, religion, or country of origin.
  • Arthur Ashe

    Arthur Ashe
    While Arthur Ashe's achievements in tennis were already notable by 1968, one specific event on August 29, 1968, marked a historic moment in his career. On this day, Arthur Ashe won the first U.S. Open Men's singles title, defeating Tom Okker in the final.
  • Olympic Protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos

    Olympic Protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos
    On October 16, 1968, Black Olympic sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos, engaged in a silent protest on the medal stand to bring light to the racial discrimination and violence against Black people in the U.S.