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“’68: The Year
Nebraska Mattered”
shares the story of
how one of the most
turbulent years in
American history rippled
through Nebraska
politics.
The
documentary
weaves
together recollections of
people involved in the
high energy events
of the time along with
fascinating film collected by the Nebraska State Historical Society and discovered in basements.
 What made Nebraska matter in 1968? Never before, and never since, has the state received so much attention from those who wanted to become President of the United States.
Anti-war candidate Senator Gene McCarthy, supported by an army of college-aged volunteers, shook traditional Democratic politics to the core. Senator Robert Kennedy drew massive crowds with his “rock star” campaign. Vice President Hubert Humphrey hoped to keep a grip on the state’s old guard party leaders.
Republicans welcomed the return of Richard Nixon, navigating the middle ground between two popular governors also on the ballot. The liberal wing of the party supported millionaire Nelson Rockefeller of New York. Conservatives followed the fresh new voice of Ronald Reagan, still in his first term leading the state of California.
And there was a third political party, the American Party, created by the incendiary Governor of Alabama, George Wallace. Branded a racist by many, his visit to Omaha dissolved into an ugly brawl that seemed to represent the dark forces that polarized America, and Nebraska, in 1968.
Scheduling Information:
This show will be rebroadcast soon,
Check back here later for updates...
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There are so many stories to share. This is a place to share more memories of the 1968 experience.
 Here you will be able to see more rarely seen footage of Bobby Kennedy, Richard Nixon, George Wallace and the rest during their visits to Nebraska. You’ll find original newspaper and magazine reports of the primary from national, local and student publications, photos from personal albums and expanded versions of the conversations taped for the documentary.
Special sections put two of the most important issues of the day… the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement… into a local perspective.
A replay of the entire program will be available from this website soon.
We have also collected even more stories, observations and memories from many other Nebraskans, who watched or helped shape the events of 1968 as they unfolded.
Do you remember ’68? We want to hear from you too! Do you have any photos or documents? Please, share! We have prepared a special discussion board for you to tell your story, make your own observations, and upload photos or scans of interesting articles and documents that will help people understand that amazing 1968 campaign! Please click here to share your story.
The other extended features discussed above will be added to this site in the coming weeks so make sure you bookmark this site and come back to learn more about “’68: The Year
Nebraska Mattered.”
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| Appearing in the Program |
Anne & Mike Boyle
Anne Howell Boyle emerged from one of Omaha’s leading ‘old guard’ political families to assume the chairmanship of the State Democratic Party and serve on the Public Service Commission. Mike Boyle started in government service as a deputy election commissioner in 1968 and went on to become Mayor of Omaha and a member of the Douglas County Board.
Tom & Judy Monaghan
The Monaghan’s had the 1968 campaigns delivered to their front door as students at Creighton University. Tom Monaghan went on the lead the State Democratic Party and serve as U.S. Attorney in Nebraska in the Clinton administration. Judy Monaghan works as a campaign consultant for national and local candidates.
John Green
 The entire Green family was drawn into the campaign of Bobby Kennedy in 1968. Their father, Jim Green, coordinated RFK’s Nebraska effort. John Green remains active in the Democratic Party and serves on the board of the Omaha Public Power District.
Archie Godfrey
 When Robert Kennedy’s campaign approached Archie Godfrey to help reach voters on Omaha’s near north side he temporarily left the Republican Party he’d been brought up in. He continued to work in politics and promote public participation in the city’s black community. |
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Christine Reed
 Christine Howells Reed worked for the McCarthy campaign from its start in New Hampshire though the Democratic National Convention. Today she teaches in the School of Public Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
John Y. McCollister
 By the end of 1968, John Y. McCollister had decided it was time to run for Congress, and succeeded two years later. He’d been the lone Republican on the Douglas County Board. He continues to promote and advise his party’s candidates for office.
John Prescott
 As the editor of the UNO student newspaper, The Gateway, John Prescott had a unique vantage point of the events of 1968. He went on to work as a journalist at KMTV and WOWT. He salvaged and preserved much of the film used in the documentary.
Lou Lamberty
 After voting for conservative Barry Goldwater in 1964, Lou Lamberty was too shaken by the Vietnam war to support the status quo. His first work as a volunteer for Eugene McCarthy led to a lifetime of political work in the Democratic Party.
Terry Forsberg
 Forsberg, the lead reporter for KMTV in Omaha, had a front row seat at many of the most important political events of 1968 in Nebraska. |
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