1968 in France

Encyclopedia : 1 : 19 : 196 : 1968 in France

See also: 1967 in France, other events of 1968, 1969 in France and the list of 'years in France'.

Contents

Events

On January 27, a French submarine sinks in the Mediterranean with 52 men on board.
On April 23 surgeons at the Hopital de la Pitie, Paris, perform Europe's first heart transplant operation.
A student strike in May and June developed into widespread and unprecedented protests over poor working conditions and a rigid educational system, which threatened to bring down the government. on May 13, over a million protesters marched through Paris. Notable among the protesters is philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, who becomes a figurehead of the movement.
Two general elections are held in France. In the first, on 30 May, Georges Pompidou is returned as Prime Minister, but - largely due to the widespread protests of May and June, it lasts for a mere 42 days before president Charles de Gaulle dismisses him and calls a new election, held on 10 July. In the second election, Maurice Couve de Murville is elected as Prime Minister.
The island of Moruroa (then known as Mururoa) in French Polynesia was used for French nuclear tests twice during the year (in August and September) leading to widespread protest from other Pacific nations.
René Cassin wins the Nobel Prize for Peace.

Singer Dalida releases the singles "Le Temps des Fleurs", "Je m'endors dans tes bras", and"Si j'avais des millions".

The 1968 Winter Olympics takes place in Grenoble. The host nation finishes third on the medal table with four gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
In the 24 hours of Le Mans motor race, the team of Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi wins driving a Ford GT-40.
The Tour de France is won by Jan Janssen of the Netherlands.
In horse racing, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is won by Vaguely Noble.
Jean-Claude Killy is men's overall alpine skiing world champion.
The French Tennis Open is won by Ken Rosewall (men) and Nancy Richey (women).
The French Grand Prix is one by Jacky Ickx in a Ferrari.
AS Saint-Étienne won the football double of Ligue 1 and Coupe de France.

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