January 3
January 3
All‑time Formula One champ born
Michael Schumacher, who won a record seven Formula One (F1) world championships, is born on January 3, 1969, near Cologne, Germany. In a 16‑year Formula One career that began in…
A Year In History: 1969
Also Within This Year in History:
1969
With months to spare, the Apollo 11 astronauts fulfilled late President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Back on earth, 1969 was also the year of the Woodstock music festival, the Stonewall riots for gay rights and the Tate-LaBianca murders by followers of Charles Manson. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Love Bug" topped Hollywood box office, and a movie ticket cost about $1.50.
January 5
January 5
Lodge succeeds Harriman as chief negotiator
President‑elect Richard Nixon names Henry Cabot Lodge to succeed W. Averell Harriman as chief U.S. negotiator at the Paris peace talks. Lawrence Edward Walsh, a New York lawyer and former…
January 12
January 12
In epic Super Bowl upset, Jets make good on Namath guarantee
On January 12, 1969, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, the New York Jets of the American Football League defeat the NFL’s Baltimore Colts, 16‑7, in Super Bowl III—a result…
January 12
January 12
Broadway Joe delivers
On January 12, 1969, in the most celebrated performance of his prolific career, quarterback Joe Namath leads the New York Jets to a stunning 16‑7 victory over the heavily favored…
January 14
January 14
Explosion rocks USS Enterprise
An explosion aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise kills 27 people in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on January 14, 1969. A rocket accidentally detonated, destroying 15 planes and injuring more than…
January 16
January 16
Agreement to open peace talks reached
An agreement is reached in Paris for the opening of expanded peace talks. It was agreed that representatives of the United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the National Liberation…
January 18
January 18
Heavy rain leads to landslides in Southern California
On this day in 1969, a spate of heavy rain begins in Southern California that results in a tragic series of landslides and floods that kills nearly 100 people. This…
January 20
January 20
Richard Nixon takes office
Richard Nixon is inaugurated as president of the United States and says, “After a period of confrontation [in Vietnam], we are entering an era of negotiation.” Eight years after losing…
January 25
January 25
First plenary session of the formal Paris Peace talks is held
The first fully attended meeting of the formal Paris peace talks is held. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, the chief negotiator for the United States, urged an immediate restoration of a…
February 22
February 22
Barbara Jo Rubin becomes first female jockey to win a U.S. thoroughbred race
On February 22, 1969, 19‑year‑old Barbara Jo Rubin becomes the first female jockey to win a race at an American thoroughbred track when she rides Cohesion to a victory by…
February 24
February 24
Airman receives Medal of Honor for action on this day
After a North Vietnamese mortar shells rocks their Douglas AC‑47 gunship, Airman First Class John L. Levitow throws himself on an activated, smoking magnesium flare, drags himself and the flare…
February 27
February 27
Communist offensive continues
Communist forces shell 30 military installations and nine towns in South Vietnam, in what becomes known as the “Post‑Tet Offensive.” U.S. sources in Saigon put American losses in this latest…
March 1
March 1
New York Yankees star Mickey Mantle retires
On March 1, 1969, New York Yankees center fielder Mickey Mantle announces his retirement from baseball. Mantle was an idol to millions, known for his remarkable power and speed and…
March 2
March 2
Soviet Union and Chinese armed forces clash
In a dramatic confirmation of the growing rift between the two most powerful communist nations in the world, troops from the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China fire…
March 5
March 5
Jim Morrison is charged with lewd behavior at a Miami concert
The Dade County Sheriff’s Office issues an arrest warrant for Doors’ lead singer Jim Morrison. He is charged with a single felony count and three misdemeanors for his stage antics…
March 10
March 10
James Earl Ray pleads guilty to King assassination
James Earl Ray pleads guilty to the assassination of African American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and is sentenced to 99 years in prison. On April 4, 1968,…
March 12
March 12
London police conduct drug raid at home of George Harrison
The London drug squad appears at house of George Harrison and Pattie Boyd with a warrant and drug‑sniffing canines. Boyd immediately used the direct hotline to Beatles headquarters and George…
March 13
March 13
“The Love Bug” opens in theaters
On this day in 1969, “The Love Bug,” a Walt Disney movie about the adventures of a Volkswagen Beetle named Herbie, opens in theaters across the United States. The film,…
March 14
March 14
Nixon discusses the possibility of U.S. troop withdrawals
At a news conference, President Richard Nixon says there is no prospect for a U.S. troop reduction in the foreseeable future because of the ongoing enemy offensive. Nixon stated that…
March 17
March 17
Golda Meir elected as Israel’s first female prime minster
On March 17, 1969, 70‑year‑old Golda Meir makes history when she is elected as Israel’s first female prime minister. She was the country’s fourth prime minister and is still the…
