1168

Events

* December 22 — Afraid that the Egyptian capital Fustat (in today's Old Cairo) will be captured by the Crusaders, its Fatimid vizier, Shawar, orders the city set afire. The city burns for 54 days.
* Prince Richard of England becomes duke of Aquitaine. He later becomes King Richard I of England.
* Emperor Takakura ascends to the throne of Japan.
* King Valdemar I of Denmark conquers Arkona on the Island of Rügen, the strongest pagan fortress and temple in Northern Europe.
* The Chinese write the first "movie script" on bamboo. The script is believed to not be inherent with a play, for imaginary events we now call "special effects" are implied.

Births

* Hugh IX of Lusignan, crusader (d. 1219)
* Prithviraj Chauhan of India (d. 1192)

Deaths

* February 4 — Thierry, Count of Flanders (b. 1099)
* April 5 — Robert de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Leicester (b. 1104): "See also ."

Heads of states

* England — Henry II Curt Mantle, King of England (reigned 1154–1189).
* France — Louis VII, King of France (reigned 1137–1180).