1968

Prague Spring: Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia.

18 – The 1968 Winter Olympics are held in Grenoble, France.

11 – Vietnam War: Battle of Lima Site 85, the largest single ground combat loss of United States Air Force members (12) during the (at this time) secret war later known as the Laotian Civil War.

Aer Lingus Flight 712 crashes en route from Cork to London near Tuskar Rock, Wexford, killing 61 passengers and crew.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau becomes the 15th Prime Minister of Canada.

May 68: Major left trade union federations in France call a 1-day general strike and join student protesters in a million-strong march through the streets of Paris.

Student demonstrations in Yugoslavia start in Belgrade.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty opens for signature.

The last steam passenger train service runs in Britain. A selection of British Rail steam locomotives make the 120-mile journey from Liverpool to Carlisle and return – the journey is known as the Fifteen Guinea Special.

Marcelo Caetano becomes prime minister of Portugal.

U.S. athlete Bob Beamon breaks the long jump world record by 55 cm / 213⁄4 ins at the Olympics in Mexico City. His record stands for 23 years, and remains the second longest jump in history.

The Beatles ("The White Album") and The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society are released.