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Publication of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring"
Although Rachel Carson was already a well-known writer, she was not known as a social critic. The book showed all the terrible effects of pesticides on birds and the environment. The book also alleged that pesitcides were harming human life as well. The book was partly responsible for the banning of DDT in the United States in 1972. -
Publication of Betty Friedan's "Feminine Mystique"
This controversial non-fiction book written by Betty Friedan started a feminist movement in the United States. The book discusses the lives of unhappy housewives which began with Betty Friedan interviewing them. Although the book is one of the most influential works written about feminism, it was highly criticized since Friedan was not a typical housewife and viewed as a radical feminist. -
Publication of Ralph Nader's "Unsafe at Any Speed"
Ralph Nader wrote this book about the automotbile manufacturer's resistance to putting safety features in cars. One of the main subject's for the book was the "Corvair" made by Chevrolet. It's reluctance to install an anti-sway bar had caused many crashes. His efforts were so important that he was asked to testify before Congress in 1966 about automobile hazards. -
NOW is founded
The National Organization of Women which is the largest feminist group was founded in Washington, D.C. It's purpose was "to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of America Society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal parnerships with men". -
UFW's Nationwide Boycott of Grapes Picked On Non-Union Farms
A group of Mexican field hands organized by Latino activist Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta formed the labor union called United Farm Workers. It began protests of all grape growers who employed migrant farm workers. It was an effort for Latino workers to get equal rights and pay from their employers. -
Woodstock
A musical festival twith many forms of counterculture took place in Bethel, New York. The concert took place over a four day period with 32 acts performing including Credence Clearwater Revival who was the first group to sign on to the event. It was one of the greatest moments in music history attracting close to 400,000 people. However, critics viewed this festival as a bunch of drug addicts behaving in a disgusting manner. -
First Earth Day Celebration
Earth Day was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin. He called for every university to set aside one day in the school year for a teach-in day on the environment. Americans celebrated the first Earth Day with an emphasis of awareness of issues concerning the environment. It would be observed yearly and on April 22, 2009, International Mother Earth Day was designated by the United Nations. -
The EPA is established
The EPA is a federal government agency whose main goal is to protect human health and the environment. They write and enforce regulations based on laws passed by Congress. President Nixon started the agency and the Administrator must be appointed by the President and later approved by Congress. -
Congress Passes Clean Air Act
This act was in addition to the Clean Air Act in 1963. This act was put in place to control the air pollution caused by car emissions as well as business industries. It was passed by Congress as part of the EPA's concerns about the public's reactions to air pollution. -
Roe v. Wade: Supreme Court Decision to Legalize Abortion
Since many states outlawed abotion, women were forced to travel to a different state for a legal abortion. Women with less money would have unsafe abortions performed. The Supreme Court decided that state laws which made abortion illegal were unconstitutional. The decision to terminate pregnancy was to be decided by the woman and her doctor up to three months of pregnancy. This decision is still controversial and argued politically today. -
Protestors from the AIM take over the reservation at Wounded Knee
The American Indian Movement is a group of Native American Activists who focus on sprituality, leadership and sovereinty. The standoff at Wounded Knee was designed to attract the government's attention to the needs of Indian People living on reservations. The protesters refused to leave and two months passed before the standoff ended with hundreds of people arrested, dozens of people hurt and two protestors killed. However, the government did agree to look into Indian treaty rights.
