Gasp!

A Normal Weekend

Saturday, June 21 at 12:30 p.m.

Wildlife on Our Front Lawn

Today's version of Wildlife on Our Front Lawn features Fred, the turtle. This courageous and friendly fellow traveled up from the creek, not too far from our house. Our beagle, Molly, barked and barked and barked until we came outside to meet her friend.

Jethro walked him across the lawn and aimed him back toward the creek. Let's hope he doesn't make a u-turn.

Today in 1968

These are the top headlines for June 10, 1968.

Spock Calls Viet War 'Outrageous'
"Dr. Benjamin Spock charged today that the war in Vietnam 'has no shred of legality and will blacken the reputation of my country for decades and centuries to come." (Associated Press)

Rock Speaks on Guarded Campus
"Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller of New York eulogized Sen. Robert F. Kennedy today under strict new security regulations prompted by the senator's assassination... A half-dozen Secret Service men flanked Rockefeller as he walked, garbed in a mortar board and gown, to the podium." (Associated Press)

U.S. Agents Guarding Ted Kennedy
"Sen. Edward M. (Ted) Kennedy D-Mass, who now takes on the burden and promise of his family's leadership, has been quietly assigned the protection of the Secret Service. It was learned that President Johnson, in an unusual move secretly extending an earlier directive, has ordered protection for the surviving Kennedy brother." (Newsday, Inc.)

Berkeley Draft HQ Bombed
"A bomb exploded inside the Selective Service Headquarters at Addison and Grove Streets early today, blasting out most windows and demolishing office furnishings." (Oakland Tribune -- Oakland, California)

Ray May Fight Extradition
"James Earl Ray made a two-minute appearance in Bow Street Court today and indicated he would fight the U.S. government's attempt to seek his extradition in connection with the charge that he killed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." (Associated Press)

Today in 1968

These are the top stories for June 9, 1968.
Kennedy at Rest Amid U.S. Heroes: Senator Buried at Arlington by Douglas B. Cornell
"Robert F. Kennedy was buried on a gentle hillside Saturday night in the uncertain light of a full moon - and the flame flickering eternally over the grave of martyred President John F. Kennedy." (Associated Press)

Statements About Sirhan Arouse D.A.
"Dist. Atty. Evelle J. Younger said he will 'do anything to stop' officials, police or prosecution figures from making comments that could damage the state's case." (Associated Press)

A Widow's Watchword: 'Cry Later'
"Ethel Kennedy did not cry. She sat quiet and composed in the great neo-Gothic cathedral where six cardinals, 18 archbishops and more than 200 priests conducted a Solemn Requiem Mass for her slain husband." (United Press International)

British Law Was Waiting To Nab Dr. King Suspect
"James Earl Ray, a fugitive convict accused of slaying Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested in London Saturday as he was about to fly to Belgium, the FBI announced." (Associated Press)

Memphis Preparing for Trial
"Police Director Frank Holloman, elated over the London capture of James Earl Ray, said Saturday immediate steps will be taken to return him here to stand trial for murder in the sniper slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." (Associated Press)

1968 in 2008

Several people have sent me links over the past few weeks about 1968. Many thanks to Bill, Roger and Greg for the notes.

James Stevenson provides the text for the New York Times article on Paul Fusco's RFK Funeral Train pictures. Don't miss the interactive feature, which is narrated by Fusco.

Campbell Brown from CNN compares 1968 with 2008. The story also features crowd shots watching Bobby Kennedy's train passing.

Paul Kengor from the National Review reflects on the relationship between Bobby Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. The essay includes a narrative of Reagan's visit on Joey Bishop's show, where he provided an analysis of the Bobby's assassination. This essay underscores how Reagan emerges as a pivotal player in 1968. While his role is beyond the scope of Project 1968, I've made sure to highlight pertinent articles about Reagan in the news summaries for each day.

Harold Myerson discusses his days as a McCarthy staffer, and the similarities between the Kennedy/McCarthy dual and Obama/Hillary. I can't say that I see it that clearly. After all, McCarthy was clearly an outsider, as Myerson says. Can we say the same about Hillary?

Roger Cohen writes about 1968 in France for the New York Times. Again, the only way to truly introduce the material in Project 1968 was through the news summaries. Charles de Gaulle was embattled and the country in revolt. Each day's news from that year bears more bad tidings from Paris.

Letter writers take issue with Paul Auster's Op-Ed article from the New York Times. Evidently Auster claimed that the Columbia University strike accomplished little. Participants from the strike write back to share their experiences and refute his conclusions.

Finally, Bobby Kennedy's children, Kerry Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend remember their Dad in these New York Times Op-Ed articles.

Today in 1968

These are the top stories for June 7, 1968

Throngs Bid Final Farewell to Bobby: Somehow It Seems the Same by Jean Heller
"For the slain Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's only surviving brother, Edward, it was the end of a night-long vigil beside the casket in the quiet, dark cathedral." (Associated Press)

Body Lies in State In Church
"Undeterred by 90-degree heat which turned midtown Manhattan into a bake-oven, they waited in line for upwards of five hours in order to spend five seconds filing past the bier in St. Patrick's Cathedral where Sen. Robert F. Kennedy lay in state." (United Press International)

Autopsy Details Delayed
"It may be days or weeks before the full medical story of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's assassination is told, but one fact apparently has been established" Death was due to a bullet in the brain." (Associated Press)

D-Day Anniversary

Today is also the 64th anniversary of D-Day. If you would like to familiarize yourself with what it's all about, check out Time's Interactive site on the invasion. They also have an oral history project of the event as well.

Also, Illinois' Rockford Register Star has a superb photo gallery, filled with AP file photos.

Honestly, I spaced on the fact that Bobby Kennedy's death happened on the same day. Strange coincidence.

Today in 1968

These are the top stories for June 6, 1968

Kennedy Mourned by Nation: Burial by Arlington Saturday
"Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, felled like his President brother by an assassin's bullet, died early today... Robert Kennedy, 42, never regained consciousness, never showed signs of recovery after a savage burst of revolver fire sent a bullet plunging into his brain - at the pinnacle of his own campaign for the White House" (Associated Press)

Johnson Proclaims A Day of Mourning
"President Johnson today declared Sunday a national day of mourning for Robert F. Kennedy and ordered the U.S. flag lowered to half staff in memoriam to the slain senator." (United Press International)

Negroes Feel It's a Conspiracy by Austin Scott
"For many poor people at Resurrection City the shooting of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy became a black versus white issue... 'Every time a colored or a white fellow tries to help us make a better life for ourselves, somebody will cut him down for no reason,' said Annie Mae Vargas, a Harlem housewife." (Associated Press)

The Longest Night by Bill Fiset
"'If I were Teddy Kennedy, with his millions, I'd get out of government right now. Why bother trying to do something for the country when things like this happen.' That was one comment and maybe a more perceptive one than you'd think." (Oakland Tribune -- Oakland, California)

A Time to Stop by Bob MacKenzie
"Television fed us Robert F. Kennedy's heartbeats, one by one, until they stopped... Under the endless drone of helpless words that followed, the time and place came back into focus and the questions came. Why, why? What is this plague? Where did it start? What are we becoming?" (Oakland Tribune -- Oakland, California)

Today in 1968

Kennedy's Life Hangs in Balance: Suspected Assassin Identified
"Robert F. Kennedy fought for his life today after being shot down at point blank range by a young man who mixed in with an exultant hotel party crowd celebrating the senator's victory in the California presidential primary." (Compiled from AP and UPI)

Johnson Leads U.S. in Prayers
"President Johnson led a shocked nation today in praying for the recovery of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Horrified lawmakers voiced fear 'the world's gone mad.'"

Terror, Tears and Blood by Robert Healy
"Now, I was standing on a steel serving table directly over the same place where we had shaken hands. He lay struck down by bullets. His right hand held a bleeding side. His face was white. His eyes were open. His lips moved just slightly. But he did not cry." (Associated Press)

Nation's Leaders Horrified
"Reaction from public figures came swiftly in the wake of today's shooting of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy with expression of shock, sorrow and outrage and prayers for his recovery. Some commented they feared such violence was becoming commonplace in America." (Associated Press)

Raw footage and Janine's immediate reaction to the shooting at Project 1968.

Today in 1968

These are the top stories for June 4, 1968

 

5.5 Million Voters Trek to Polls Today: RFK Faces Rift With Minorities by Dave Hope

"Major contests tightened up sharply today as some 5.5 million California voters went to the polls for a primary election - Democrats to choose a favorite for the presidential nomination. Republicans to select a nominee for the U.S. Senate... Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, still rated as leading Sen. Eugene McCarthy in the fight for the state's 172 national convention votes, faced the first rift in what has appeared to be virtually unanimous support by minority group voters. It left him complaining and on the verge of physical collapse as the campaign ended." (Oakland Tribune -- Oakland, California)

 

Warhol Shot by Actress

"In his far out world of soup can posters and interminable underground films, Andy Warhol's acquaintances included characters as bizarre as his art. Among them actress Valerie Solanis, who detests men in general and had some specific grievances against Warhold... Police held Miss Solanis, 28, star of Warhol's newest film, "I, A Man," on charges of felonious assault and possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to kill. Doctors said today Warhold had a "50-50" chance of surviving." (United Press International)

 

(photo from the Oakland Tribune)