NOTE
In February, Leroy and I will go on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City with Fr. Tom, Deacon Eric and other All Saints University Parish parishioners. We are truly grateful for the opportunity and look forward to the experience. Please keep us in your prayers, as you will be in ours. If you have any particular prayer intentions, message us, and we’ll carry them with us on this journey.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died recently at the age of 100. Since his passing, there have been several public and private events preceding his funeral and burial in Georgia. I was recently watching the procession of his casket, arriving from Joint Base Andrews and then being transferred to a horse-drawn caisson for the procession to the US Capitol, which also includes a riderless horse. This is the same route he and his family traveled on the day of his Inauguration almost 48 years before. These events always impress me and fill my heart with gratitude to live in this great nation. It also reminded me of many other images of similar processions and timing of these historical events. Then my birth year came to mind: 1968.
I was born fifty-seven years ago, in the tumultuous year 1968. For those who were alive (and aware), stating the date will bring back memories. It’s become one of those historical years that only needs to be said to make one pause and remember—e.g., “Back in ’45.” With the help of ChatGPT, here’s a list of some of the things that occurred in this transformative year.
Politics was the topic of the day back in ’68.
- Tet Offensive (January 30–March 28) – A significant escalation in the Vietnam War as the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launched surprise attacks across South Vietnam.
- My Lai Massacre (March 16) – American soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians in the village of My Lai.
- Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4) – Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, leading to nationwide riots and mourning.
- Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (June 5) – Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a presidential candidate, was fatally shot in Los Angeles after delivering a campaign speech.
- Prague Spring (January–August) – A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia was crushed by Soviet-led Warsaw Pact troops in August.
- Democratic National Convention Protests (August 26–29) – Anti-Vietnam War protests turned violent in Chicago, resulting in clashes between demonstrators and police.
- Mexico City Massacre (October 2) – Mexican government forces killed hundreds of student protesters in Tlatelolco Square just before the Olympics.
But some good things happened in 1968, too.
- Apollo 7 Mission (October 11–22) – The first successful manned mission in NASA’s Apollo program, paving the way for future lunar landings.
- Earthrise Photo (December 24) – Astronaut William Anders captured the iconic “Earthrise” photo during the Apollo 8 mission, the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon.
- Release of The Beatles’ White Album (November 22) – A landmark music album showcasing the band’s creative range.
- Civil Rights Act of 1968 (April 11) – President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law, prohibiting housing discrimination.
- Boeing 747 Production Begins – The “Jumbo Jet” development revolutionized air travel.
And, of course, the highlight of the year. (At least in my family.)
- Kelli Jean Faulkner was born to Charles and Vilate Faulkner in Montpelier, Idaho