October 1st to October 7th
Tuesday, October 1st, 1968 - The cult horror film "Night of the Living Dead" premieres at the Fulton Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Wednesday, October 2nd, 1968
- Ten days before the Summer Olympics are set to open in Mexico City, soldiers and police put down a student protest rally of about 5,000 people at the Plaza of Three Cultures in the Tlatelolco housing project in downtown Mexico City by indiscriminately firing into the crowd and killing hundreds of people. Now known as the "Night of Sorrow", the incident was officially covered up by Mexican authorities, and to this day an official death toll has not been released. It is estimated, however, that about 400 people died in the massacre.
Thursday, October 3rd, 1968 - Former Alabama Governor and pro-segregationist third-party presidential candidate George Wallace announces his choice of U.S. Air Force general Curtis LeMay as his running mate. LeMay's suggestion that nuclear weapons be used to end the Vietnam War later earns him the nickname "Bombs-away LeMay".
Friday, October 4th, 1968 - Cambodian officials admit for the first time that North Vietnam forces had been using Cambodian territory for attacks against South Vietnam.
Saturday, October 5th, 1968 - Two days of rioting between Catholics and Protestants breaks out in Northern Ireland, resulting in nearly 100 injuries and 29 arrests.
Sunday, October 6th, 1968 - British racecar driver Jackie Stewart places first in the 1968 U.S. Grand Prix held in Watkins Glen, New York.
Monday, October 7th, 1968 - The Motion Picture Association of America adopts its film rating system, ranging from "G" for general audiences to "X" for adults only.