Chronology: Date 1968-0

date	event	tags	firsts
1968 13 Sep	The passing of Wellesley Tudor Pole (b. 23 April 1884 in Weston Super Mare, UK) in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, UK. Wellesley Tudor Pole first encountered 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Alexandria during His first sojourn in Egypt in 1910. At that time he wanted to find out more about the Faith and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. He met 'Abdu'l-Bahá many times over many years, specifically in Palestine in 1918 when he was able to assist in the protection 'Abdu'l-Bahá's home against the occupying Turks. [The Servant, the General and Armageddon by Roderick and Derwent Maude] He is also notable for having read the English translation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's first public talk in the West on the 10th of September, 1911. In 1921, while Tudor Pole was Secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly in London, the telegram announcing the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá from Bahíyyih Khánum, arrived at Tudor Pole's home in London and it was there read by Shoghi Effendi. [Bahá'í Chronicles; Bahaipedia] See The Extraordinary Life and Work of Wellesley Tudor Pole: Baha'i Seer by Lil Osborn and The Two Worlds of Wellesley Tudor Pole by Gerry Fenge. See as well Silent Road: In the light of personal experience by Wellesley Tudor Pole.	In Memoriam; Wellesley Tudor Pole; Hurstpierpoint; Sussex, England; United Kingdom; Weston-super-Mare, England; United Kingdom
1968 9 Sep	Gerald (Jerry) Van Deusen, a 24-year-old American Bahá'í from the Windward, Leeward and Virgin Islands and the first pioneer to Upper Volta, arrived in Ouagadougou.	Gerald (Jerry) Van Deusen; Pioneer; Ouagadougou; Upper Volta	first pioneer to Upper Volta
1968 2 Sep	Tarázu'lláh Samandarí, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Haifa. (b.1874 in Qazvin, Persia) Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii] For his obituary see BW15p410-416. For cable of the Universal House of Justice see BW15:416 and WG158–9. Bahá'í Chronicles. See Moments with Bahá'u'lláh: Memoirs of the Hand of the Cause of God Tarázu'lláh Samandarí translated by Mehdi Samandarí and Marzieh Gail and published by Kalimat Press. Find a grave.	Tarazullah Samandari; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Births and deaths; In Memoriam; Haifa, Israel
1968 26 – 31 Aug	The centenary of the arrival of Bahá'u'lláh in the Holy Land was commemorated at the World Centre. [BW15:81–4] For details of the commemoration, the pilgrimage to follow and pictures see BW15:81–6. Passages from the The Lawḥ-i-Ra'ís depicting the rigours and hardships of the Most Great Prison, were chanted in the vicinity of Bahá'u'lláh's Most Holy Tomb, in the presence of over two thousand of His followers gathered from every corner of the world to commemorate the centenary of the arrival in 'Akká of the One Whom the world had wronged. [Three Momentous Years in The Bahá'í World]	Centenaries; Pilgrimage; Bahá'u'lláh, Banishment of; Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre; Israel
1968 23 – 25 Aug	The first Oceanic Conference took place in Palermo, Sicily, to commemorate the arrival of Bahá'u'lláh in the Holy Land. [BW15:73, 178; VV3] It was attended by some 2,300 Bahá'ís from 67 countries. [BW15:73] For details of the conference, maps and pictures see BW15:72–80. See the message sent to the conference from the Universal House of Justice in which it was stated: Contemplating this awe-inspiring, supernal episode, we may obtain a clearer understanding of our own times, a more confident view of their outcome and a deeper apprehension of the part we are called upon to play. That the violent disruption which has seized the entire planet is beyond the ability of men to assuage, unaided by God's revelation, is a truth repeatedly and forcibly set forth in our Writings. The old order cannot be repaired; it is being rolled up before our eyes. The moral decay and disorder convulsing human society must run their course; we can neither arrest nor divert them.	Oceanic Conference; - Conferences; Palermo, Italy; Italy	first Oceanic Conference in Palermo
1968 10 Aug	Dr Lutfu'lláh Hakím (1888 - 1968), former member of the Universal House of Justice, passed away in Haifa. [BW15:434] For his obituary see BW15:430–4. For cable of the Universal House of Justice see BW15:434 and WG158. See Wikipedia. Find a grave. See Bahá'í Reference Library.	Lutfullah Hakim; In Memoriam; Births and deaths; Haifa, Israel
1968 27 – 28 Jul	The first National Youth Conference of Honduras opened in Santa Rosa de Copán. [BW15:328–9]	Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Youth; - First conferences; Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras; Honduras	first National Youth Conference of Honduras
1968 7 Jul	The passing of Hand of the Cause Hermann Grossmann in Neckargemünd, near Heidelberg, (b.16 February, 1899) [BW15p416-421] Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent of Hands of the Cause on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii] For his biography see Hermann Grossmann: Hand of the Cause of God, A Life for the Faith by Susanne Pfaff-Grossmann. For his obituary see BW15:416–21. For cable of the Universal House of Justice see BW15:416 and WG157–8. Alternatively see Mess63-86p135.	In Memoriam; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, First Contingent; Hermann Grossmann; Neckargemund; Germany
1968 Jul	In the United States a "Bahá'í Teacher and Speaker List" was compiled for distribution to goals committees and assemblies. 600 people were approached for inclusion on the list. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 13 January 1969 p7]	Bahá'í Teacher and Speaker List; USA
1968 Jul	The meaning of "Just Government" was clarified by The Universal House of Justice. The reply sent to an individual called attention to a letter to a believer dated September 7, 1937 in which the beloved Guardian said: "As regards the Bahá'í principle of obedience to just governments, what is meant here by just is recognized and well-established authority." The Universal House of Justice further stated that in a letter to the National Teaching Committee for Central America dated July 3, 1948, the beloved Guardian, in explaining the statement in the Master's Will, said: "What the Master's statement really means is obedience to a duly constituted government, whatever that government may be in form. We are not the ones, as individual Bahá'ís to judge our government as just or unjust - for each believer would be sure to hold a different viewpoint, and within our own Bahá'í fold a hotbed of dissension would spring up and destroy our unity. We must build up our Bahá'í system, and leave the faulty systems of the world to go their way. We cannot change them through our becoming involved in them; on the contrary, they will destroy us." The same believer who asked about the meaning of "just government" also asked whether or not Bahá'ís should own or buy guns to protect themselves and their families. The Universal House of Justice replied: "Under the present circumstances in the United States it is preferable that Bahá'ís not buy or own arms for their protection or the protection of their families." [National Bahá'í Review No 7 July 1968 p2]	Just Government; Guns; - Bahá'í World Centre
1968 Jul	Louis Joseph, the first Bahá'í indigenous to Dominica, enrolled in Roseau.	First Bahá'ís by country or area; Roseau; Dominica	first indigenous Bahá’í to Dominica
1968 Jul	Christian and Elanzo Callwood, Norris Duport and Ethien Chinnery, the first people to become Bahá'ís on the island of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, enrolled.	First Bahá'ís by country or area; Islands; Jost Van Dyke; British Virgin Islands	first Bahá’ís in British Virgin Islands
1968 24 Jun	The Universal House of Justice made the first appointments to the Continental Board of Counsellors. [Mess63-86 No 60]	Counsellors
1968 22 – 23 Jun	The first National Youth Conference of the Bahá'ís of the United States opened in Wilmette, Illinois. [BW15:327 8] For picture see BW15:325.	Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; - Conferences, National; Wilmette, IL; Illinois, USA; USA	first National Youth Conference of US
1968 21 Jun	The Universal House of Justice established the Continental Boards of Counsellors to continue the functions of the Hands of the Cause in the protection and propagation of the Faith. [BBD58–9, 97; BW15:611–13; BW17:319; MUHJ4–5; WG141, Mess63-86p130, 21 June, 1968, CEBF112] For details of the eleven Boards and their membership see BW15:612 and WG140–4. Among the eleven people named to the Boards in Africa were three native believers: Oloro Epyeru and Kolonario Oule in Uganda, and Seewoosumbur-Jeehiba Appa in Mauritius. For pictures of the Counsellors see BW15:614, 615, 618, 619, 622, 623, 625, 627. For a history of the development of the institutions of the International Teaching Centre and the Continental boards of Counsellors see BW20p673-693.	Universal House of Justice; Counsellors; - Hands of the Cause; Appointed arm; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Auxiliary board members and assistants; Assistants; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
1968 summer	The first summer school to be held in Ireland bagin.	Summer schools; First summer and winter schools; Ireland	first summer school in Ireland
1968 Ridván	The formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. A special celebration was held in a hotel in Kirkwall, and Philip Hainsworth came and represented the National Spiritual Assembly. [Uk Bahá'í Histories]	Kirkwall, Orkney Islands	formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Orkney Islands
1968 Ridván	The first local spiritual assemblies of Equatorial Guinea were formed in Bata and Santa Isabel.	Local Spiritual Assembly; Bata, Equatorial Guinea; Equatorial Guinea; Santa Isabel, Equatorial Guinea; Equatorial Guinea	first Local Spiritual Assembly in Equatorial Guinea
1968 Ridván	The first local spiritual assembly of the Cayman Islands was formed in George Town.	Local Spiritual Assembly; George Town, Cayman Islands; Cayman Islands	first Local Spiritual Assembly in Cayman Islands
1968 Ridván	The first local spiritual assembly in French Guiana was formed at Cayenne.	Local Spiritual Assembly; Cayenne, French Guiana; French Guiana	first Local Spiritual Assembly in French Guiana
1968 Ridván	The Universal House of Justice was elected for a second time by delegates from 81 National Spiritual Assemblies. [BW15:557] Dr David Ruhe was elected to replace Dr Hakím, who resigned for reasons of ill health. The members were: Amoz Gibson, 'Ali Nakhjavani, Hushmand Fatheazam, Ian Semple, Charles Wolcott, David Hofman, H. Borrah Kavelin, Hugh Chance and David Ruhe. [VV3] For a description of the second international convention and pictures see BW14:564–8.	Universal House of Justice, Election of; Elections; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Conventions, International; Amoz Gibson; `Alí Nakhjavání; Hushmand Fatheazam; Ian Semple; Charles Wolcott; David Hofman; H. Borrah Kavelin; Hugh Chance; David Ruhe; Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
1968 Ridván	Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia formed their own regional assembly. Those elected to serve were: Gila Michael Bahta, Dr. Leo Neiderreitter, Gamal Rushdy, Asfaw Tessema, Dr. Heshmat Farhoumand, Dr. Hushang Ahdieh, Ursula Samandari, Assefaw Habte Michael and Rabbi Teele Mariam. [Wikipedia]	National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sudan; Somalia; Ethiopia
1968 Apr	An article honouring the Centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's Proclamation to the Kings and religious leaders of the world appeared in the April 1968 issue of Ebony Magazine. The article included a number of colour photographs taken during the recent Bahá'í Intercontinental Conference in Kampala, Uganda. Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Beth McKenty was instrumental in getting the article and has worked with Ebony on the material. In April 1965 Ebony carried a feature story on the Faith titled: "Bahá'í: A Way of Life for Millions." The July 1965 issue of the magazine carried a quarter-page advertisement on the Bahá'í Faith which has been one of the most successful ads in terms of response. [National Bahá'í Review No 3 March 1968 p10]	Ebony magazine; Proclamation; Beth McKenty; Auxiliary board members and assistants; USA
1968 19 Feb	His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa, the first reigning monarch to become a Bahá'í, wrote to the Universal House of Justice confirming his acceptance of the Faith. [BW15:180–3] See Bahá'í Chronicles for the story of his enrollment.	Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa; - Bahá'í royalty; Royalty; Firsts, other; Samoa	first reigning monarch Bahá’í
1968 26 Jan	A Moroccan Bahá'í was arrested, tried and convicted on the charges of having abused the sacredness of Islám and using deceptive methods to convert people to another religion; he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. [BW15:172]	Persecution, Morocco; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Morocco
1968 1 or 2 Jan	The passing of Euphemia (Effie) Eleanor Baker (b.25 March 1880 at Goldsborough, Victoria) in Waverley, New South Wales. For Effie Baker's obituary see BW14:320-1. She became a Bahá'í in 1922 after attending a lecture by Clara and Hyde Dunn in Melbourne. She was the first woman to converted to the Faith in Australia. She served in Haifa from 1925 to 1936. See SETPE1p105-107 for her contribution during that period. In the 1930s Effie Baker travelled to Persia to take photographs of historical sites. Many of these photographs were included in The Dawnbreakers. [BW14:320] Hear The Life of Effie Baker written and read by Sonjel Vreeland. She was buried in the Bahá'í Cemetery in Mona Vale. [Australian Dictionary of Biography]	Effie Baker; In Memoriam; Births and deaths; Cemeteries and graves; Dawn-Breakers (book); Waverly, New South Wales; New South Wales; Australia	first woman Baha'i in Australia.
1968 (Approximate date)	Našrīya was a news bulletin of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tehran. It was distributed free of charge to each Bahá'í family in Tehran every 19 days. It functioned for a dozen years and kept its readers informed of the major news and developments in the Bahá'í community of Tehran. [BAHAISM v. The Bahai Community in Iran by V. Rafati]	Nasriya; * Publications; Iran
1968 – 1969	Throughout Iran, pressure on Bahá'ís intensified. [BW18p391] Applications for government employment were refused. [BW18:391] Bahá'ís were refused admission to colleges and universities. [BW18:391] Bahá'í centres were closed. [BW18:391]< Individual Bahá'ís were attacked. [BW18:391]	Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution; Iran
1968 (In the year)	A Bahá'í Publishing Trust, Maison d 'Edition, for the publication of Bahá'í literature in the French language, was formed at Brussels by the Belgian National Assembly, thus accomplishing a major goal of the Nine Year Plan. [BW14p95]	Publishing Trusts; Brussels, Belgium; Belgium
1968 (In the year)	Ernest Ndouba (G Beadoumadji Moadoumgar) of the Sara ethnic group and the first Chadian to become a Bahá'í, enrolled in Ndjamena.	Ernest Ndouba; Ndjamena, Chad; Chad	first Chadian Bahá’í
1968 (In the year)	Over a thousand new believers enrolled in Ethiopia. [BW15:186]	Mass conversion; Ethiopia
1968 (In the year)	The Bahá'í Publishing Committee based in Karachi developed into a Bahá'í Publishing Trust responsible for translation and publication into Urdu, English, Persian, Arabic, Sindhi, Pushtu, Balochi, Gojri, Balti and other regional languages.	Publishing Trusts; Translation; Karachi, Pakistan; Pakistan
1968	Twenty years prior, on December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark this event the UN General Assembly unanimously designated the whole of this year, 1968, as International Human Rights Year. The Bahá'í Communities of North America, on the occasion of the world-wide commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the call to the world's leaders to establish universal peace through justice and unity by Bahá'u'lláh, observed 1968 as the International Year for Human Rights. At the Bahá'í Intercontinental Conference in Chicago the Bahá'ís affirmed that in accordance with the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh, human rights are God given rights. See National Bahá'í Review Issue 4 April 1968 for the events associated with the commemoration. A pamphlet titled A Bahá'í Declaration of Human Obligations and Rights was published by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust in Wilmette.	Human Rights
Try also a shorter date like or 1968 or 196 try also the Chronology Canada — 1968-0 or 1968 or 196

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