What Happened on December 9, 1968

Historical Events

"The Mother of All Demos"

Douglas Engelbart demonstrates in "The Mother of All Demos" the computer system NLS (oN-Line System) to a live audience in San Francisco. Shows for the first time, the mouse, word processing, windows, hypertext links, video conferencing, real-time collaboration, and other modern computing concepts. [1]

  • KRNE TV channel 12 in Merriman, NB (PBS) begins broadcasting

'Ulster stands at the Crossroads'

Terence O'Neill, Northern Ireland Prime Minister, makes a television appeal for moderate opinion in what became known as the 'Ulster stands at the Crossroads' speech

  • The Derry Citizen's Action Committee (DCAC) calls for a halt to all marches and protests for a period of one month

Famous Birthdays

  • Bill Johnson, NFL defensive linebacker (Pittsburgh Steelers)
  • Brian Lane Bell, American guitarist, and singer-songwriter Weezer; The Relationship), born in Iowa City, Iowa

Kurt Angle (55 years old)

American 220 lbs freestyle wrestler (Olympic gold 1996), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Michael Foster, American drummer (Firehouse - "Love of a Lifetime"), born in Richmond, Virginia

About December 9, 1968

Day of the Week: Monday
How Long Ago? 55 years, 4 months and 18 days
Leap Year: Yes

Generation: Generation X
Chinese Zodiac: Monkey
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
  • UK #1 Song: Lily The Pink - Scaffold