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North Korea captures the USS Pueblo
The USS Pueblo is boarded and captured by the North Korean military in international waters. The crewman were tortured and starved for almost a whole year. They were returned after the US promised not to spy on North Korea.
(photo: NBC) -
Period: to
The year 1968
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The Tet Offensive
The Viet Cong launch a massive surprise assault on American and South Vietnamese troops during the Lunar New Year celebrations. With massive casualties on both sides, the offensive started the downward spiral of public approval for the war in the states.
(photo: armchairgeneral.com) -
South Korean military leader kills prisoner on TV
South Vietnamese military official Nguyen Ngoc Loan executes a prisoner on live TV without any warning or hesitation. The still image becomes an anti war rallying call just following the Tet Offensive. -
American atheletes make civil rights statement in summer Olympics
Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their fists during the playing of the nation anthem after winning the gold and bronze medal in the 200 meter. This act was symbolic of the civil rights movement going on in the states and was criticized by the Olympic Committee. However, the two athelets are now recognized as heroes for their brave stand.
(Photo: Aljazeera) -
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated
The leader of the civil rights movement was shot and killed at 6:01 p.m. is Memphis, Tennesee while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel. The assassin was later revealed to be James Earl Ray, who was captured in London.
(Phot: Seattle Times) -
Andy Warhol is shot
Valerie Solonas shoots and Warhol outside of his Manhattan apartment, The Factory. She said she did it because Warhol "had too much control over her life". Warhol was pronounced dead, but was revived after emergency surgery.
(Photo: New York Observer) -
Robert Kennedy is assassinated
The former president's brother is shot following a speech that he gave in the ballroom of the ambassador hotel in Los Angeles, California. He died after an unsuccessful brain surgery. Sirhan Sirhan was convicted of murder and is still serving his life sentance.
(Photo: PBS) -
Boeing introduces the 747
Boeing revealed their 300 ton, six story tall aircraft to the world in a time where air travel was becoming the preferred way to travel. The 747 could carry close to 400 people and remains one of the most commonly used aircrafts today.
(Photo: seattlepi.com) -
Star Trek airs first interracial kiss on TV
During an episode of Star Trek, William Shatner kisses Nichelle Nichols, which was the first instance of an interracial kiss on American Television. NBC was nervous about airing the episode, but Shatner and the creators of the show persited that it be unedited. -
Apollo 8 orbits the moon
A major moment in the cold war space race, this even saw Americans Jim Lovell, Bill Anders and Frank Borman become the first humans to orbit the moon. The completed 11 orbits. This is what would set up the moon landing that would follow seven months later.
(Photo: spacefacts.de)
