From Protest to Pop Culture: 32 Vintage Photos From 1968

Written by Erin Kuschner on
Split image: On the left, three women in 1960s fashion sit on a couch. On the right, a young man in a military uniform stands with arms crossed in front of a barracks building.

The year 1968 did not go quietly. Events like the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy shocked the nation, while the Civil Rights Movement continued to gain momentum. It was also a year of cultural touchstones, including the Beatles releasing the “White Album” and the first manned Apollo mission to make its way around the moon. For a peek into moments both large and small, take a look at these vintage photos that capture the unforgettable energy and spirit of 1968.

1. ‘Fight That Broke Out at my Great-Uncle’s Wedding’

A group of men in suits are playfully wrestling or tussling in the center of a crowded room, while others, both men and women, stand around watching and laughing. The setting appears to be a lively indoor party or gathering.
tsqueeze / Reddit.com

2. A Young Madonna About to Dig Into Some Cake

A young girl in a white dress and veil smiles next to a rectangular cake with white frosting, possibly at a First Communion celebration.
retrocrunch / Reddit.com

3. Tower Records in San Francisco

Black-and-white photo of a Tower Records store on a street corner, with large signage and a convertible parked in front. Hillside buildings and trees are visible in the background.
sanfran54 / Reddit.com

4. A Photo Taken From Robert F. Kennedy’s Funeral Train Following His Assassination on June 6, 1968

Three children stand on and near a wooden footbridge over a small creek, beside a grassy dirt road and a worn white building under bright sunlight in a rural setting.
GaGator43 / Reddit.com

5. ‘My Grandpa, 20 Years Old in 1968’

A young man in a military uniform stands with arms crossed in front of wooden barracks. The photo is in black and white, giving it a vintage look. The man appears serious, and military patches are visible on his sleeves.
vegasisbad / Reddit.com

6. Cracking Up While Grocery Shopping

A Black man and woman stand in a grocery store aisle with shelves of bread and crackers. The man holds a shopping cart and the woman, wearing a dress and headscarf, smiles as they look at items together.
Reneski / Reddit.com

7. Family Trip to Disneyland

People walk and gather in front of the "It's a Small World" ride at Disneyland. The ornate, white and gold facade is visible in the background. A family poses for a photo in the foreground on a sunny day.
DualCay0te / Reddit.com

8. Sharon Tate in Cannes

A woman in a blue bikini sits on a beach chair, smiling and holding a clear plastic item, with beachgoers and umbrellas in the background.
HazeCircuit / Reddit.com

9. ‘The Voice Actors Behind the Peanuts Gang’

Four children and an adult stand at microphones in a recording studio. Below them are illustrated Peanuts characters, including Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy, appearing to interact with the real people.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

10. An Iconic Duo: Cheech and Chong

Two men pose together in front of a plain wall. One man has short dark hair and wears a sleeveless shirt with stars and a necklace. The other has long hair, glasses, a beard, and wears a striped tank top.
moonflower11 / Reddit.com

11. ‘Frank Sinatra With His Body Double and Bodyguards, Miami’

Four men in suits walk along a pool deck among sunbathers in swimsuits. The setting is lively, with people lounging, talking, and swimming. The men in suits appear focused and serious amid the relaxed atmosphere.
AlbPerNil / Reddit.com

12. People Line Up for Nathan’s Hot Dogs on Coney Island

Vintage street scene with classic cars parked in front of Nathan’s Famous hot dog restaurant, large signs advertising food, and people walking along the sidewalk. The atmosphere suggests a lively city area, likely Coney Island.
frecklefactor / Reddit.com

13. A Coffee Shop in the West Village, New York City

A man sits at a counter with a coffee cup, talking to a woman in a short dress working behind the diner counter. Other people are seated in the background near large windows.
AxlCobainVedder / Reddit.com

14. ‘New York City Garment Workers Pause To Listen to the Funeral Service for Martin Luther King Jr., April 8, 1968’

A group of women in dresses stand closely together in a factory setting, observing as one woman examines another's wrist, creating an atmosphere of concern and attention.
sverdrupian / Reddit.com

15. The Ultra-Fashionable Members of The Supremes

Three stylish women sit on a green couch; one wears a yellow dress, another a mint outfit with a white beret and boots, and the third a black-and-white checkered dress. They appear to be waiting or watching something.
Admiral37 / Reddit.com

16. Valerie Anders and Susan Borman, Wives of Two of the Apollo 8 Astronauts, Reacting to Hearing Their Voices Come Through While in Orbit

Two women sit at a table, one laughing and clapping while the other raises her fists with eyes closed in excitement. Behind them is a painting of red and yellow flowers in a red vase.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

17. The Early Days of Black Sabbath

Four men with long hair sit on grass in front of a wooden fence and trees. They wear 1970s-style clothes, including boots and vests, and are seated close together, looking at the camera.
beardlesshipster / Reddit.com

18. ‘My Grandfather and His Friends in Vietnam’

A group of young men, some shirtless and some in dark uniforms, pose together outdoors, smiling and holding canned drinks. The setting appears casual and friendly, likely in warm weather.
hiimnew1836 / Reddit.com

19. Heading to High School Prom in Detroit

A group of young adults dressed in formal evening wear walk together on a city sidewalk at night, holding hands or linking arms, illuminated by streetlights and storefronts in the background.
michaelconfoy / Reddit.com

20. A 7-Year-Old George Clooney With His Family

A black and white photo shows a man and woman smiling at a young boy and girl across a table set with snacks and drinks. The group appears happy and engaged in conversation in a cozy, sunlit room.
feedreddit / Reddit.com

21. The Old Absinthe House Bar in New Orleans

A vintage street scene shows an old black car driving past historic brick buildings, including the "Old Absinthe House" and a cabaret theatre. A woman in yellow stands by the sidewalk, and red barricades block part of the street.
Maj1C1an / Reddit.com

22. Just a Clown Terrorizing Times Square in NYC

A person dressed as a clown in a Mets baseball uniform walks among a crowd of pedestrians on a busy city street, with neon signs and storefronts in the background.
AxlCobainVedder / Reddit.com

23. ‘Sisters Having an Early Spring Picnic in the Backyard’

Two children wearing red hats and jackets sit on wicker chairs outdoors, facing each other, with a small table between them holding glasses of orange juice. The background shows bare trees and dry grass.
MyDogGoldi / Reddit.com

24. Lobster Boil and Dance in Cape Cod, Massachusetts

A group of young adults at a lively indoor party, dancing and smiling. The scene is casual, with barefoot attendees in summer clothes. Streamers hang from the ceiling, and the atmosphere is joyful and energetic.
GaGator43 / Reddit.com

25. The Daffodil Festival in Puyallup, Washington

A parade float decorated with yellow and orange flowers carries women in purple dresses, waving to a crowd. Spectators line the street, with buildings and a "For Sale" sign visible in the background.
Logybayer / Reddit.com

26. ‘All Power to the People’

A woman at a protest holds a sign reading, "Gay Power, Black Power, Women Power, Student Power, All Power to the People," with police officers visible in the background.
lilcash650 / Reddit.com

27. Some of the 1968 St. Louis Cardinals Hanging Out in the Locker Room

A group of baseball players and coaches sit on stools in a locker room, wearing colorful sweaters and jackets. Behind them, white jerseys with red caps and names hang in a row above each locker.
Some_Policy_1062 / Reddit.com

28. Hey, It’s The Who!

Four people wrapped in Union Jack flags sleep against a stone monument with carved figures, while two children sit nearby on the steps, looking thoughtful. A statue stands on a pedestal in the background.
michaelconfoy / Reddit.com

29. Remember When We All Used To Play Outside a Little More?

A group of young children stand together outdoors under the shade of a tree, with some smiling and others looking at the camera. Two bicycles are in front, and the background includes a fence and open land.
Jnarimatsu / Reddit.com

30. Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division Patrolled Washington D.C. Due to Riots Following Martin Luther King Jr.’s Assassination

A group of armed soldiers in helmets marches down a city street as firefighters spray water on burning buildings in the background, with smoke rising and debris scattered on the wet ground.
TrendWarrior101 / Reddit.com

31. Fremont Street in Las Vegas

A nighttime view of Fremont Street in Las Vegas, brightly lit with colorful neon signs for hotels, casinos, clubs, and restaurants. The vibrant lights create a lively and bustling city atmosphere.
GaGator43 / Reddit.com

32. Horsemen in the Dagestan Mountains, USSR

Three people wearing traditional clothing ride horses along a rocky mountain path, with snow-covered peaks visible in the background.
UltimateLazer / Reddit.com

Looking for more ’60s content?

Check out 31 Vintage Photos That Show Exactly What Life Looked Like in the Early ’60s. You might also enjoy 12 Photos of 1960s Department Stores and 23 Incredible Photos of the Vietnam War.