Earlier studies have interpreted the Forbush decrease of 23 September 1966 in terms of two phases; an initial predecrease and a later worldwide decrease. This interpretation precluded the possibility of correlation with a concurrent magnetic storm and led to an explanation of the predecrease (Mathews et al. 1968) in terms of a shadow cast by a distant plasma cloud approaching from a direction 85° to the west of the sun–earth line.In the present study, particle and magnetic field data from satellite-borne detectors and ground-based neutron monitors clearly show the onset of the Forbush decrease coincident with the SSC magnetic storm. It is pointed out that the Forbush decrease arises from a corotating shock front approaching from the east of the sun–earth line and is not associated with any solar flare effect. Further, the increases observed by the various neutron monitors 9 h after the onset of the Forbush decrease are interpreted to be an enhancement of the diurnal anisotropy. An example of an increase in intensity in the IMP 3 detector arising from electron contributions is also pointed out.