A year of hippies, drugs, and free love. 1968 was about that and so much more. It was a year that stands out in American history as one that was truly pivotal. From the Civil Rights & Women's movements to the Presidential election, our country saw change. We were divided over the Vietnam War. We watched the crew of the Apollo 8 orbit the moon. And we bore the burden of dealing with two assassinations.

Americans found their voices and they were heard. From college campuses to churches, from City Halls to Convention Halls, people were engaged, interested and involved.

The changes were seen and heard everywhere. It was reflected in the music we listened to, the television shows we watched and the movies we went to.

Our country experienced so much in that one year and yet we can look back and say "We made it through", and maybe we grew up a little.

1968... It was an uncertain, tumultuous and exciting year. Times were changing and so were we. We had to.

On the 40th anniversary of 1968, this exhibit explores pivotal events of 1968 - celebrating the lives of those who died in 1968, the turmoil of the Democratic National Convention and the pop culture which brought us the television show Laugh-In, the movie Barbarella and so much more.

• Read a moving letter from James D. Sack '71, a Fairfield University Vietnam Veteran, published in the student newspaper on April 4, 1968.

  Mr. Sack ends his letter with, "On the way to Vietnam I decided, with all the typical profoundity of a high school senior, that it would be an honor to die for my country in Vietnam. On the way back, after realizing what we were not doing in Vietnam, I thanked the Lord above that He did not see fit to waste my life. Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, etc., were a different matter. With no undue emphasis on patriotism I would have considered it an honor to be there, and would have given my life proudly. With Vietnam I can only sympathize and go on feeling guilty for those people who will not see their valiant sons again."

Reminder: The Library exhibit space is available to the University. If you are interested in creating an exhibit for the Library, please call (203) 254-4000 ext. 2587 or e-mail Jackie Kremer.

Related Information

Slide show of the exhibit | View pictures and leave comments