Also, in the year 1868,

L.M. Alcott wrote Little Women.
One of the first detective stories, "The Moonstone," by Wilkie Collins, was written.
Charles Darwin wrote "The variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication"
Renoir painted "The Skaters"

In the year 1868...

• The Meiji Emperor declares the Meiji Restoration of direct Imperial rule over Japan setting off the brief Boshin Civil War between pro-Imperial forces and forces loyal to the Tokugawa Shogunate before the shogun surrenders in May. The last pro-shogunate forces would be defeated the following year, clearing the way for Japan's modernization.
• In the sensational Impeachment Trial of Andrew Johnson, "radical" Republicans in the US Congress engineer the first and only impeachment of a US president when Johnson attempts to dismiss War Secretary Edwin Stanton without Congressional authorization, but Congress falls one vote short of conviction when seven Republicans cross party lines.
• The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing all citizens "equal protection of the laws"
• The University of California is founded.
• English author Wilkie Collins publishes his novel The Moonstone, often said to be the first detective story in the English language.
• Louisa May Alcott publishes her novel Little Women.

These people were born in 1868:

• Russian Tsar Nicholas II.
• American composer Scott Joplin.

These people died in 1868:

• American trapper and scout Kit Carson.
• Japanese vigilante Kondo Isami, beheaded for his support of the shogunate.

1867 - 1868 - 1869

19th century

This is a collaboratively edited writeup. You are encouraged to assimilate and supersede it.