1968: Difference between revisions

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(What links here 4th 50.)
(What links here 5th 50 (ended with Homer Brown).)
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* [[January 5]]: The final episode of ''Bozo the Clown'' aired on [[WBRC 6]]. [[Ward McIntyre]] played the title role.
* [[January 5]]: The final episode of ''Bozo the Clown'' aired on [[WBRC 6]]. [[Ward McIntyre]] played the title role.
* [[February 16]]: The nation's first 911 call was taken at the [[Haleyville]] police station.
* [[February 16]]: The nation's first 911 call was taken at the [[Haleyville]] police station.
* [[March 16]]: A [[Shower of Stars|WVOK Shower of Stars]] concert featured The Young Rascals, The Lemon Pipers, The Union Gap, Roy Head, Billy Joe Royal, [[The Rockin' Rebellions]], The Brotherhood, and Gene & Debbie.
* [[March 29]]: [[James Earl Ray]] used an alias to purchase a .243 caliber hunting rifle and scope at [[Aeromarine]] on [[Airport Highway]].
* [[March 30]]: Ray exchanged the rifle from the previous day for a .30-06 caliber Remington Model 760 Gamemaster.
* [[April 4]]: [[Civil Rights Movement]] leader [[Martin Luther King, Jr]] was assassinated by Ray in Memphis, Tennessee with the Birmingham-purchased rifle.
* [[July 27]]: A Shower of Stars concert featured The Troggs, Herman's Hermits, The Buckinghams, The Ohio Express, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, Roy Head, and Four Jacks & a Jill.
* [[August 3]]: A Shower of Stars concert featured Paul Revere and the Raiders, Lou Christie, Billy Joe Royal, George Fame, The People, The Magistrates, and Mitch Ryder & His Revue.
* [[November 30]]: A Shower of Stars concert featured Davy Jones, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, The Buckinghams, Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart, The Grass Roots, Billy Joe Royal, Andy Kim, and Four Jacks & a Jill.
* [[Birmingham]] voters approved $400,000 in bonds for the purchase of land to expand the [[Birmingham Museum of Art]].  
* [[Birmingham]] voters approved $400,000 in bonds for the purchase of land to expand the [[Birmingham Museum of Art]].  
* The [[Birmingham Festival of Arts]] held the [[1968 Salute to Greece|Salute to Greece]].
* The [[Birmingham Festival of Arts]] held the [[1968 Salute to Greece|Salute to Greece]].
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* [[Andy Straynar]], [[Charlie Lawrence]], and another investor purchase [[Bogue's]] restaurant from the Bogues.
* [[Andy Straynar]], [[Charlie Lawrence]], and another investor purchase [[Bogue's]] restaurant from the Bogues.
* Buck Creek Industries sold [[Buck Creek Mill]] to Reeves Brothers.
* Buck Creek Industries sold [[Buck Creek Mill]] to Reeves Brothers.
* [[The Chukker]] founder [[Bill Thompson]] sold the bar to [[Earl Hilyer]].
* [[Cinema West]] opened.
* [[Cinema West]] opened.
* Mercy Home was renamed [[Gateway]].
* Mercy Home was renamed [[Gateway]].
* [[Golden Flake]] became a publicly traded company.
* [[Golden Flake]] became a publicly traded company.
* [[Greg's Cookies]] was bought by [[Bud Cason]], nephew of the company's founders.
* [[Greg's Cookies]] was bought by [[Bud Cason]], nephew of the company's founders.
* [[Ollie's Barbecue]] relocated a few blocks west on [[University Boulevard|8th Avenue South]] from its original location due to construction of [[Interstate 65]].
* [[Sol's Sandwich Shop]] opened on the bottom floor of the [[John A. Hand Building]].
* [[Sol's Sandwich Shop]] opened on the bottom floor of the [[John A. Hand Building]].
* [[SMI Steel]] merged with [[CMC Steel Alabama]].
* [[SMI Steel]] merged with [[CMC Steel Alabama]].
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* [[July 1]]: The [[Alabama High School Athletic Association]] was integrated under court order by merging with the [[Alabama Interscholastic Athletic Association]].
* [[July 1]]: The [[Alabama High School Athletic Association]] was integrated under court order by merging with the [[Alabama Interscholastic Athletic Association]].
* September: [[Wenonah High School|Wenonah Area Vocational School]] opened to students.
* September: [[Wenonah High School|Wenonah Area Vocational School]] opened to students.
* [[John Blackburn]] was promoted to dean for student development at the [[University of Alabama]].
* [[Helen Fuller]] succeeded [[Estelle McNutt]] as principal of [[Edgewood Elementary School]].
* [[Helen Fuller]] succeeded [[Estelle McNutt]] as principal of [[Edgewood Elementary School]].
* [[Gardendale High School]] held its first graduation ceremony.
* [[Gardendale High School]] held its first graduation ceremony.
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* [[Robert F. Henry]] succeeded [[Howard M. Phillips]] as [[List of Birmingham-Southern College presidents|president]] of [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Robert F. Henry]] succeeded [[Howard M. Phillips]] as [[List of Birmingham-Southern College presidents|president]] of [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* Henry and Suzanne Herzing purchased the [[Herzing University|Electronics Computer Programming Institute]].
* Henry and Suzanne Herzing purchased the [[Herzing University|Electronics Computer Programming Institute]].
* [[Kermit A. Johnson]] succeeded [[Delos P. Culp]] as [[president of the University of Montevallo]].
* [[Ann Jordan]] succeeded [[Aleen Mitchell]] as principal of [[Hall-Kent Elementary School]].
* [[Ann Jordan]] succeeded [[Aleen Mitchell]] as principal of [[Hall-Kent Elementary School]].
* [[James Pharris]] succeeded [[Benjamin McGhee]] as principal of [[Washington K-8 School]].
* [[James Pharris]] succeeded [[Benjamin McGhee]] as principal of [[Washington K-8 School]].
* [[Roebuck Plaza Elementary School]] closed at the conclusion of the school year as part of school desegregation.
* [[Evan Zeiger, Sr]] was named vice-president for financial affairs of [[Samford University]].


=== Government ===
=== Government ===
* [[May 7]]: [[Albert Brewer]] was appointed [[Governor of Alabama]] upon [[Lurleen Wallace]]'s death.
* [[May 7]]: [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Albert Brewer]] became [[Governor of Alabama]] upon [[Lurleen Wallace]]'s death.
* June: Attorney [[Arthur Shores]] became the first black [[Birmingham City Council]]or after being appointed to fill the seat vacated upon the death of [[R. W. Douglas]].
* June: Attorney [[Arthur Shores]] became the first black [[Birmingham City Council]]or after being appointed to fill the seat vacated upon the death of [[R. W. Douglas]].
* [[J. P. Campbell]] succeeded [[Wally Watson]] as [[Mayor of Hueytown]].
* [[J. P. Campbell]] succeeded [[Wally Watson]] as [[Mayor of Hueytown]].
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* [[Edward Ernest]] succeeded [[Don Watts]] as [[Mayor of Hoover]].
* [[Edward Ernest]] succeeded [[Don Watts]] as [[Mayor of Hoover]].
* [[Afton Lee, Sr]] was elected to the [[Homewood City Council]].
* [[Afton Lee, Sr]] was elected to the [[Homewood City Council]].
* [[Robert Waldrop]] succeeded [[E. G. Walker]] as [[Mayor of Homewoood]], his first of six terms.
* [[Robert Waldrop]] succeeded [[E. G. Walker]] as [[Mayor of Homewood]], his first of six terms.


===Religion===
===Religion===
* April: [[J. Peter Sheehan]] succeeded [[John Colreavy]] as pastor of [[St Anthony's Church]].
* [[C. W. Box]] became pastor of [[First Baptist Church of Boldo]].
* [[C. W. Box]] became pastor of [[First Baptist Church of Boldo]].
* [[James Crutcher]] succeeded [[John Cross]] as pastor of [[16th Street Baptist Church]].
* [[James Crutcher]] succeeded [[John Cross]] as pastor of [[16th Street Baptist Church]].
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* [[December 3]]: [[Auburn Tigers|Auburn]] lost to [[Alabama Crimson Tide|Alabama]] by a score of 24-16 in the [[1968 Iron Bowl]] at [[Legion Field]].
* [[December 3]]: [[Auburn Tigers|Auburn]] lost to [[Alabama Crimson Tide|Alabama]] by a score of 24-16 in the [[1968 Iron Bowl]] at [[Legion Field]].
* The final NASCAR race was held at [[Birmingham International Raceway]].
* The final NASCAR race was held at [[Birmingham International Raceway]].
* [[Homer Brown]] competed in his first U.S. Open Table Tennis Championship.
* [[Paul Seitz]] returned to Birmingham to play baseball for the [[Birmingham A's]].
* [[Paul Seitz]] returned to Birmingham to play baseball for the [[Birmingham A's]].
* [[University of Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] quarterback [[Kenny Stabler]] was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft.
* [[University of Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama]] quarterback [[Kenny Stabler]] was drafted in the second round of the NFL draft.
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==Individuals==
==Individuals==
* [[April 1]]: [[John Garrett]] became a traffic engineer for the [[City of Birmingham]].  
* [[April 1]]: [[John Garrett]] became a traffic engineer for the [[City of Birmingham]].  
* [[September 6]]: [[Carlos May]] began his major league career with the Chicago White Sox.
* [[October 20]]: [[Joseph Raya]] was appointed archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and All Galilee.
* [[October 20]]: [[Joseph Raya]] was appointed archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and All Galilee.
* [[BBVA Compass|Central Bank]] CEO [[Harry Brock, Jr]] took control of the board of the State National Bank of Alabama.
* [[BBVA Compass|Central Bank]] CEO [[Harry Brock, Jr]] took control of the board of the State National Bank of Alabama.
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* Leonard and Bettie Lawley purchased the [[R. F. McKibbon residence]] in [[Montevallo]].
* Leonard and Bettie Lawley purchased the [[R. F. McKibbon residence]] in [[Montevallo]].
* [[J. Gordon Melton]] was ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church.
* [[J. Gordon Melton]] was ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church.
* [[Robert Miller]] was ordained by the Episcopal Church.
* [[Don Morrison]] served as president of [[AIA Birmingham]].
* [[Don Morrison]] served as president of [[AIA Birmingham]].
* [[Mac Parsons]] began serving as a bailiff  for the [[Jefferson County Circuit Court]].
* [[Dave Roddy]] broke his back when he slipped while helping a stuck motorist at the [[Oporto National Guard Armory]].
* [[Sonia Sanchez]] married poet Etheridge Knight.
* [[Sonia Sanchez]] married poet Etheridge Knight.
* [[Muzaffar I. Sheikh]] arrived in the United States for graduate study.
* [[Muzaffar I. Sheikh]] arrived in the United States for graduate study.
* [[Candi Staton]] launched her solo career as a Southern soul stylist.
* Judge [[Robert Vance]] led the first racially mixed [[Alabama]] delegation to a Democratic National Convention.
* Judge [[Robert Vance]] led the first racially mixed [[Alabama]] delegation to a Democratic National Convention.
* [[Marvin Warner]] was appointed a delegate to the 23rd General Assembly of the United Nations.
* [[Marvin Warner]] was appointed a delegate to the 23rd General Assembly of the United Nations.
* U.S. Air Force officer [[James Woodward]] was promoted to Captain.
* [[Jim Woodward]] transferred from the [[Bessemer Police Department]] to the [[Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]].


===Births===
===Births===
[[Image:DeDee Nathan.jpg|right|thumb|150px|DeDee Nathan]]
[[Image:Frank Thomas.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Frank Thomas]]
* [[January 3]]: [[Thomas Rayam]], football player and coach
* [[January 3]]: [[Thomas Rayam]], football player and coach
* February: [[Thomas Robey]], chef
* February: [[Thomas Robey]], chef
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* [[Nell Carter]] graduated from [[A. H. Parker High School]].
* [[Nell Carter]] graduated from [[A. H. Parker High School]].
* [[Howard Cruse]] earned a degree from [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Howard Cruse]] earned a degree from [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Chriss Doss]] earned a juris doctorate at [[Samford University]]'s [[Cumberland School of Law]].
* [[Gail Godwin]] earned her M.A. in English from the University of Iowa.
* [[Gail Godwin]] earned her M.A. in English from the University of Iowa.
* Literary scholar [[Barry Ivker]] completed his Ph.D at Indiana University.
* Literary scholar [[Barry Ivker]] completed his Ph.D at Indiana University.
* [[J. Gordon Melton]] earned his M. Div. at Garrett Theological Seminary.
* [[J. Gordon Melton]] earned his M. Div. at Garrett Theological Seminary.
* [[Richard North Patterson]] earned a degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.
* [[Richard North Patterson]] earned a degree from Ohio Wesleyan University.
* [[Martha Jane Patton]] graduated from [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[Carole Samuelson]] graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.
* [[Carole Samuelson]] graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill.
* [[Don Siegelman]] graduated from the [[University of Alabama]].
* [[Don Siegelman]] graduated from the [[University of Alabama]].


===Awards===
===Awards===
* Female Vocalist of the Year (Country Music Association): [[Tammy Wynette]]
* Fogarty Award: [[George Turner]]
* Fogarty Award: [[George Turner]]
* Medal of Honor: Sgt. [[Matthew Leonard]] (post-houmous)
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Dellynne Catching]]
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Dellynne Catching]]
* Medal of Honor: Sgt. [[Matthew Leonard]] (post-houmous)
* [[Miss Samford]]: [[Linda Hughes Beck]]


===Deaths===
===Deaths===
[[Image:Lurleen Wallace postcard.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Lurleen Wallace postcard]]
* [[April 4]]: [[Martin Luther King, Jr]], [[Civil Rights Movement]] leader
* [[April 4]]: [[Martin Luther King, Jr]], [[Civil Rights Movement]] leader
* [[April 12]]: [[Victorine]], gorilla
* [[April 12]]: [[Victorine]], gorilla
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==Works==
==Works==
[[Image:Early Days of Birmingham.jpg|right|175px|thumb|''Early Days in Birmingham'']]
===Buildings===
===Buildings===
* [[July 30]]: Construction of [[Lister Hill Library]] began.
* [[July 30]]: Construction of [[Lister Hill Library]] began.
* [[Broadway Street]] was repaved, covering the disused rails of the [[Birmingham and Edgewood Electric Railway]].
* [[Calder Building]] was renovated as [[Citizens Federal Savings Bank]]'s headquarters.
* [[Calder Building]] was renovated as [[Citizens Federal Savings Bank]]'s headquarters.
* One floor was added to [[Children's Hospital]].
* One floor was added to [[Children's Hospital]].
* [[Green Acres Baptist Church]] education building was added to the campus.
* [[Green Acres Baptist Church]] education building was added to the campus.
* Construction of the [[Talladega Superspeedway]] began.


====Completed====
====Completed====
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* [[Linger Longer Lodge]] and street [[Grace Way]], for the [[Interstate 65]] [[Shades Mountain]] cut.
* [[Linger Longer Lodge]] and street [[Grace Way]], for the [[Interstate 65]] [[Shades Mountain]] cut.


[[Image:Early Days of Birmingham.jpg|right|150px|thumb|''Early Days in Birmingham'']]
===Books===
===Books===
* September: ''Early Days in Birmingham''
* September: ''Early Days in Birmingham''
* [[Paul Hemphill]] spent a year-long Niemen Fellowship at Harvard University working on his first book, ''The Nashville Sound''.


===Films and TV===
===Films and TV===
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===Music===
===Music===
* [[Dennis Edwards]] replaced David Ruffin as lead singer of [[The Temptations]].  
* [[Dennis Edwards]] replaced David Ruffin as lead singer of [[The Temptations]].  
* "The Last Goodbye" by [[Dave Roddy]].
*  ''Looking at You'' and ''The Very Best of Sandy Posey'' by [[Sandy Posey]] were released.
*  ''Looking at You'' and ''The Very Best of Sandy Posey'' by [[Sandy Posey]] were released.
* [[Samford Memorial Pipe Organ]] was constructed at [[Southside Baptist Church]].
* [[Samford Memorial Pipe Organ]] was constructed at [[Southside Baptist Church]].

Revision as of 14:11, 13 January 2014

1968 was the 97th year after the founding of the City of Birmingham.

Events

Business

Education

Government

Religion

Sports

Individuals

Births

DeDee Nathan
Frank Thomas

Graduations

Awards

Deaths

Lurleen Wallace postcard
See also List of Birmingham homicides in 1968

Works

Buildings

Completed

Demolitions

Early Days in Birmingham

Books

  • September: Early Days in Birmingham
  • Paul Hemphill spent a year-long Niemen Fellowship at Harvard University working on his first book, The Nashville Sound.

Films and TV

Music

Theater

Gallery

Context

In 1968, the Vietnam War continued and the Tet Offensive took place. A U.S. B-52 Stratofortress crashed in Greenland near Thule Air Base, discharging four nuclear bombs. The Winter Olympics were held in Grenoble, France. Madison Square Garden in New York City opened. Civil Rights Movement leader Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated by James Earl Ray in Memphis, Tennessee. The Civil Rights Act of 1968, including the Fair Housing Act, became law. The musical Hair officially opened on Broadway. U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was shot in Los Angeles, dying the next day.

Also in 1968, the semiconductor company Intel was founded. The first International Special Olympics Summer Games were held in Chicago, Illinois. Swaziland became independent. Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission, launched. Mattel's Hot Wheels toy cars were introduced. The Summer Olympics were held in Mexico City, Mexico. Republican challenger Richard Nixon defeated the Democratic candidate, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and American Independent Party candidate George Wallace in the presidential election. Apollo 8 orbited around the Moon.

The top-grossing films in 1968 included 2001: A Space Odyssey, Funny Girl, The Love Bug, The Odd Couple, Bullitt, Romeo and Juliet, Oliver!, Rosemary's Baby, Planet of the Apes, and Night of the Living Dead. Oliver! took the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director (Carol Reed). Best Actor went to Cliff Robertson for Charly. Best Actress went to both Katharine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter and Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl in the Best Actress award's only tie in history.

Television premieres in 1968 included Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, One Life to Live, Hawaii 5-O, and 60 Minutes.

1960s
<< 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 >>
Births - Deaths - Establishments - Events - Works
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