1968: Difference between revisions

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(What links here 5th 50 (ended with Homer Brown).)
(Passes of 5th and 6th pages of What links here and photos.)
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==Events==
==Events==
[[Image:1st 911 call 1968.jpg|right|thumb|250px|U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill answers the first 911 call]]
* [[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.
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===Business===
===Business===
* [[April 22]]: Christian radio station [[WDJC-FM]] debuted.
[[Image:Ollie's BBQ.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Ollie's Barbecue]]
* July: [[South Central Bell]] was founded as a split from Southern Bell.
* August: A new [[Bruno's]] location opened in [[Dora]].
* August: A new [[Bruno's]] location opened in [[Dora]].
* [[Arlington Properties]] was founded.
* [[BASS]] was founded by [[Ray Scott]] in Montgomery.
* [[Big B Drugs]] began operation as part of [[Bruno's Supermarkets]].
* [[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]].
* [[The Chukker]] founder [[Bill Thompson]] sold the bar to [[Earl Hilyer]].
* [[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]].
* [[Ollie's Barbecue]] relocated a few blocks west on [[University Boulevard|8th Avenue South]] from its original location due to construction of [[Interstate 65]].
* [[Southern Natural Gas Company|Southern Natural Gas Resources]] expanded into forestry with its Southern Forest Products division and into real estate through the Southern Natural Realty Corporation.
* [[SMI Steel]] merged with [[CMC Steel Alabama]].
==== Establishments ====
[[Image:South Central Bell 1967.png|right]]
* [[April 22]]: Christian radio station [[WDJC-FM]] debuted.
* July: [[South Central Bell]] was founded as a split from Southern Bell.
* [[Arlington Properties]] was founded.
* [[BASS]] was founded by [[Ray Scott]] in Montgomery.
* [[Big B Drugs]] began operation as part of [[Bruno's Supermarkets]].
* [[Cinema West]] opened.
* [[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]].
* [[Sikes & Youngs Shoe Company]] opened in [[Vestavia Hills]].  
* [[Sikes & Youngs Shoe Company]] opened in [[Vestavia Hills]].  
* [[Thunderbird Drive-In]] opened.  
* [[Thunderbird Drive-In]] opened.  
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=== Government ===
=== Government ===
[[Image:Arthur Shores.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Arthur Shores {{BPL permission caption|http://bplonline.cdmhost.com/u?/p4017coll6,2266}}]]
* [[May 7]]: [[Lieutenant Governor of Alabama|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Albert Brewer]] became [[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]].
* [[James Allen]] was elected to the U.S. Senate.
* [[J. P. Campbell]] succeeded [[Wally Watson]] as [[Mayor of Hueytown]].
* [[J. P. Campbell]] succeeded [[Wally Watson]] as [[Mayor of Hueytown]].
* [[Bull Connor]] was re-elected as [[Alabama Public Service Commission]] director.
* [[Jack Courson]] succeeded [[James Bailey]] as [[Mayor of Leeds]].
* [[Jack Courson]] succeeded [[James Bailey]] as [[Mayor of Leeds]].
* [[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]].
* [[Sonny Penhale]] was elected [[Mayor of Helena]], his first of 11 terms.
* [[Robert Waldrop]] succeeded [[E. G. Walker]] as [[Mayor of Homewood]], 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]].
* April: [[J. Peter Sheehan]] succeeded [[John Colreavy]] as pastor of [[St Anthony's Church]].
* August: [[Wayne Wallace]] began working as a broadcaster at [[WDJC-FM]].
* [[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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===Sports===
===Sports===
* [[February 24]]: NHL player [[Garry Unger]] began his record-setting string of 914 consecutive games.
* [[May 23]]: Groundbreaking was held for [[Talladega Superspeedway]].  
* [[May 23]]: Groundbreaking was held for [[Talladega Superspeedway]].  
* [[September 22]]: A [[1968 Boston Patriots vs. New York Jets football game|NFL regular season game]] was played at [[Legion Field]].
* [[September 22]]: A [[1968 Boston Patriots vs. New York Jets football game|NFL regular season game]] was played 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]].
* [[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]].
* Former [[Auburn Tigers football]] player [[Forrest Blue]] was selected 15th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL draft.
* [[Homer Brown]] competed in his first U.S. Open Table Tennis Championship.
* [[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]].
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==Individuals==
==Individuals==
* [[April 1]]: [[John Garrett]] became a traffic engineer for the [[City of Birmingham]].
[[Image:John Robertson.jpg|right|thumb|150px|John Robertson]]
* [[September 6]]: [[Carlos May]] began his major league career with the Chicago White Sox.
* [[May 20]]: [[John Robertson]] was shot down while participating in a classified resupply mission flying into Laos on a Vietnamese helicopter crewed by Vietnamese soldiers.
* [[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.
* [[Charles E. Bugg]] and [[William Bridgers]] accepted positions at [[UAB]].
* [[Wallace Cohen]] succeeded [[Karl B. Friedman]] as president of the [[Levite Jewish Community Center]].
* [[Wallace Cohen]] succeeded [[Karl B. Friedman]] as president of the [[Levite Jewish Community Center]].
* [[Bull Connor]] was re-elected as [[Alabama Public Service Commission]] director.
* [[Ralph Cook]] was admitted to the [[Alabama State Bar]].
* Artist and photographer [[William Christenberry]] began teaching at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C.
* [[Newton H. DeBardeleben]] succeeded [[John A. Hand]] as CEO of [[First National Bank of Birmingham]].
* [[Don Drennen, Jr]] became president of the [[Don Drennen Motor Company]].
* Reverend [[Edward Gardner]] became president of the [[Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights]].  
* Reverend [[Edward Gardner]] became president of the [[Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights]].  
* [[Lamar Johnson]] was a third round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox.
* [[Lamar Johnson]] was a third round draft pick by the Chicago White Sox.
* Attorney [[D. Paul Jones]] joined the [[Balch & Bingham]] firm.
* 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.
* [[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]].
* [[William Noble]] became city attorney of [[Gardendale]].
* [[Dave Roddy]] broke his back when he slipped while helping a stuck motorist at the [[Oporto National Guard Armory]].
* [[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.
* [[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.
* 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===
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* [[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]].
* [[Chriss Doss]] earned a juris doctorate at [[Samford University]]'s [[Cumberland School of Law]].
* [[Bill Elder]] completed a master of divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
* [[Mickey Gee]] earned bachelor's in marketing at the [[University of Alabama]].
* [[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.
* [[Hubert Green]] earned a degree in marketing from Florida State University.
* 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]].
* [[Martha Jane Patton]] graduated from [[Birmingham-Southern College]].
* [[James Redfield]] graduated from [[Thompson High School]].
* [[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]].
=== Employment ===
* [[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.
* [[Charles E. Bugg]] and [[William Bridgers]] accepted positions at [[UAB]].
* Artist and photographer [[William Christenberry]] began teaching at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C.
* [[Newton H. DeBardeleben]] succeeded [[John A. Hand]] as CEO of [[First National Bank of Birmingham]].
* [[Don Drennen, Jr]] became president of the [[Don Drennen Motor Company]].
* Attorney [[D. Paul Jones]] joined the [[Balch & Bingham]] firm.
* [[Mac Parsons]] began serving as a bailiff  for the [[Jefferson County Circuit Court]].
* [[Jim Woodward]] transferred from the [[Bessemer Police Department]] to the [[Jefferson County Sheriff's Office]].
=== Marriages ===
* Actress [[Elizabeth MacQueen]] married  talent manager Raymond Gonzalez.
* Singer [[Linda Manning]] married baseball player, actor, and minister Mel Novak.
* [[Sonia Sanchez]] married poet Etheridge Knight.
=== Divorces ===
* Actress [[Lili Gentle]] divorced Richard Zanuck.


===Awards===
===Awards===
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* Medal of Honor: Sgt. [[Matthew Leonard]] (post-houmous)
* Medal of Honor: Sgt. [[Matthew Leonard]] (post-houmous)
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Dellynne Catching]]
* [[Miss Alabama]]: [[Dellynne Catching]]
* [[Miss Alabama USA]]: [[Claudia Robinson]]
* [[Miss Samford]]: [[Linda Hughes Beck]]
* [[Miss Samford]]: [[Linda Hughes Beck]]


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==Works==
==Works==
===Buildings===
===Buildings===
* [[April 14]] (Easter):  A "pioneer homestead" opened in [[Noccalula Falls Park]] containing the reconstructed [[Gilliland Bridge]], [[William Clayton]]'s log-built blacksmith shop, and other historic structures.
* [[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]].
* [[Broadway Street]] was repaved, covering the disused rails of the [[Birmingham and Edgewood Electric Railway]].
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* 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.
* The [[The Parisian|former Parisian store]] was purchased by businessman [[A. G. Gaston]] for $1.5 million.
* Construction of the [[AT&T City Center|South Central Bell Building]] began.
* Construction of the [[Talladega Superspeedway]] began.
* Construction of the [[Talladega Superspeedway]] began.


====Completed====
====Completed====
* [[Ellis Lake]]
* [[Higgins residence]]
* [[Higgins residence]]
* [[Inglenook Community Center]]
* [[Inglenook Community Center]]
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* [[December 9]]: [[The Temptations]] and Diana Ross & the Supremes starred in musical revue television special called ''TCB''.
* [[December 9]]: [[The Temptations]] and Diana Ross & the Supremes starred in musical revue television special called ''TCB''.
* The [[Alabama Television Corporation]], headed by [[John Jemison]], was awarded the broadcast rights to [[WTTO|UHF Channel 21]] by the FCC.
* The [[Alabama Television Corporation]], headed by [[John Jemison]], was awarded the broadcast rights to [[WTTO|UHF Channel 21]] by the FCC.
* "The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant" featuring [[B. J. Baker]].


===Music===
===Music===
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*  ''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]].
* [[Candi Staton]] launched her solo career as a Southern soul stylist.
* [[The Torquays]] disbanded.
* [[The Torquays]] disbanded.


===Theater===
===Theater===
* [[Birmingham Dinner Theatre]] was founded.
* [[Birmingham Dinner Theatre]] was founded and held its first performances at [[Mrs Todd's Cafeteria]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==

Revision as of 13:02, 21 January 2014

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

Events

U.S. Rep. Tom Bevill answers the first 911 call

Business

Ollie's Barbecue

Establishments

South Central Bell 1967.png

Education

Government

Arthur Shores courtesy BPL Archives

Religion

Sports

Individuals

John Robertson

Births

DeDee Nathan
Frank Thomas

Graduations

Employment

Marriages

Divorces

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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