Top secret papers reveal 1968 truth

Race, the Falklands and Harold Wilson

Top secret government papers have for the first time revealed the full story behind the events of 1968.

The BBC has gained unprecedented access to those documents closed until 1 January 1999 under the 30-year rule.

The result is the Leviathan documentary UK Confidential - a television first. Working closely with the programme's makers, BBC News Online take a closer look at an extraordinary year.

The truth about 1968
Secret government documents have revealed Harold Wilson's government was on the verge of implementing an economic crackdown that would have thrown the country into chaos.

On the verge of economic catastrophe
Secret government documents have for the first time revealed a plan for a "virtual financial coup d'etat".

UK planned to give Falklands to Argentina
During 1968, the UK Government intended to sign an agreement that would have given Argentina sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, backing down only at the last minute.

Callaghan: I was wrong on police and race
As home secretary, James Callaghan bowed to pressure and excluded policing from his Race Relations Act - 30 years on, he says he got it wrong.

The year the world shook
In 1968 the world was rocking in more ways than one. From mass protests to progressive pop, every level of western society was undergoing turmoil and change.

Queen halted Armistice Day reforms
Church proposals to modernise Remembrance Sunday and make it more relevant to young people were thrown out because the Queen objected to them.

How top secrets become common knowledge
Thousands of government files are stored away each year - after 30 years some are made public but others are never revealed.

Links to the documents that matter
In association with the Public Record Office we provide you with links to the pick of the thousands of secret papers that have been published online.

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Leviathan - UK Confidential
BBC Two Friday 1 January 6.40pm