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The search for then missing Prime Minister Harold Holt, is called off and ceased entirely, declaring his presumed drowning.
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The Seekers, Australian pop/folk band of the 60's were named Australian's of the Year for their contributions to the Arts.
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The battle of Saigon was concluded on this day in 1968.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. is shot dead at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Riots erupt in major American cities, lasting for several days afterwards..
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Fluoridation of Sydney's water supply begins
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Jim Cairns unsuccessfully challenges Gough Whitlam for leadership of the Australian Labor Party.
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U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California by Sirhan Sirhan. Kennedy dies from his injuries the next day.
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Australia wins the 1968 Rugby League World Cup when they beat France (20–2) in the final at the SCG.
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Saddam Hussein becomes Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council in Iraq after a coup d'état. (an unconstitutional deposition of a government)
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The Premier of Queensland, Jack Pizzey, dies in office.
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The standard gauge rail line between Perth and Kalgoorlie is completed.
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September 7 - Led Zeppelin performs for the first time; at their first show, they are billed as The New Yardbirds (the Yardbirds had disbanded two months earlier, and guitarist Jimmy Page subsequently formed this new group).
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Summer Olympics commences in New Mexico.
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After the 200m event at the Olympics, on the podium the two African-American athletes (Tommie Smith and John Carlos) raised their fists in a salute to "Power to the People". This caused a lot of controversy around the world and the two athletes were sent home.
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Nixon defeats Hubert in the 1968 US Presidential Election.
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The '68 Comeback Special marks the concert return of Elvis Presley.