1968 in Michigan

Events from the year 1968 in Michigan.

The Associated Press (AP) surveyed newspaper editors and broadcasters and determined the top 10 stories in Michigan for 1968 as follows:

1. The candidacy of Gov. George W. Romney for President of the United States;
2. The 1968 Detroit Tigers winning the American League pennant and defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1968 World Series;
3. A newspaper strike that shut down the state's two largest newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News, for nine months;
4. Gov. Romney's decision to resign as Governor to become United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Pres. Richard M. Nixon;
5. The reapportionment and redistricting of the state's county boards to reflect a "one man, one vote" proportionality;
6. Michigan voters' defeat of a ballot measure to adopt daylight saving time;
7. Hubert H. Humphrey's taking Michigan's 21 electoral votes in the 1968 United States presidential election (Humphrey received 1,593,082 votes (48.18%) to 1,370,665 (41.46%) for Richard M. Nixon and 331,968 (10.04%) for George Wallace);
8. The Robison family murders, a mass murder on June 25 of six family members while vacationing in their Lake Michigan cottage just north of Good Hart, Michigan;
9. Two heart transplants performed at the University of Michigan Hospital; and
10. The adoption a statewide laws for open housing and the protection of tenants' rights.

The AP also selected the state's top 10 sports stories as follows:

1. Mickey Lolich's three victories in the 1968 World Series;
2. The Detroit Tigers winning the American League pennant for the first time since 1968;
3. Denny McLain's 31 wins as a pitcher for the Tigers;
4. Gordie Howe's 700th goal and 1,500th game for the Detroit Red Wings;
5. Ron Johnson's season, setting an NCAA record with 347 rushing yards in a game and Michigan records with 1,391 rushing yards and 114 points scored during the 1968 season;
6. The Detroit Lions' acquisition of quarterback Bill Munson and their poor performance during the 1968 season;
7. Spencer Haywood's transfer to the University of Detroit and his leading a resurgence in the school's basketball fortunes during the 1968-69 season;
8. The popularity of coho salmon fishing;
9. Two members of the Detroit Lions, Mel Farr and Lem Barney winning the NFL's offensive and defensive rookie of the year honors; and
10. The death of Warner Gardner in a crash during the APBA Gold Cup unlimited hydroplane race on September 8 on the Detroit River.