Milestones: Dec. 20, 1968

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Born. To Ethel Kennedy, 40, widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy: her eleventh child, fourth daughter; in Washington, D.C. After eight weeks in bed . since she suffered false labor pains in October, Ethel checked into Georgetown University Hospital a few days before reaching term, was delivered by caesarean section in a 40-minute operation. It was her fifth caesarean, and both mother and 8-lb. 4-oz. daughter were reported in "excellent" shape.

Married. Richard Helms, 55, director of the CIA; and Cynthia McKelvie, 45, British-born mother of four and exwife of a prominent Washington surgeon; eight months after she divorced her husband of 25 years and four months after he divorced his wife of 29 years; in a Presbyterian ceremony at his brother's home in South Orange, N.J.

Died. Thomas Merton, 53, Trappist monk and author eloquently concerned with man's spiritual and secular fulfillment (see RELIGION).

Died. E. L. ("Bob") Bartlett, 64, senior Senator from Alaska and tireless campaigner in the struggle for statehood; of complications following heart surgery; in Cleveland. The roughhewn son of a Klondike sourdough, Bartlett may well have been the prototype of Edna Ferber's central character in Ice Palace. He grew up in gold-crazed Fairbanks, went to Washington in 1932 to serve as secretary to the territorial Delegate. In 1944 he was elected a Delegate to Congress, where for 14 years he led the fight for Alaskan statehood—after which a grateful electorate awarded him a senatorial seat by an overwhelming majority.