the 1960s

U-2 Incident

Jan 5, 1960

USSR sent up Sputnik, the first satelite. The US became scared that USSR was spying on them, and sent U-2 aircraft over USSR. The last U-2 plane was shot down, and the pilot was captured by the USSR gov't and held captive.

First Man In Space

Apr 12, 1961

The Space Race began, and Yuri Gagarin of the USSR becomes the first man in space.

Nuclear Testing

Sep 15, 1961

The United States begins nuclear testing underground.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964, making segregation in public facilities and discrimination in employment illegal. This is big because African Americans are used to the Jim Crow laws of the South.

The Race Riots

Aug 28, 1964

Race riots begin in Philadelphia. Race riots are a violent outbreak of violent civil disorder, and targeted racial groups.

Martin Luther King

Oct 14, 1964

It is announced that Martin Luther King won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Medicare

Jul 30, 1965

LBJ signed the Medicare Bill, making it easier for older people to have health insurance. Medicare was designed for people aged 65 and older, or those that meet a special criteria.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Aug 10, 1965

Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This Act made literacy tests and other such requirements that tended to restrict black voting illegal.

Nuclear Weapons in space

Jan 27, 1967

The US and USSR sign a treaty, agreeing to not keep nuclear weapons in space.

the Monterey Pop Festival

Jun 16, 1967

The Monterey Pop Festival was a three-day concert event held June 16 to June 18, 1967 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. Monterey was the first widely-promoted and heavily-attended rock festival. It hosted the first major American appearances by Jimi Hendrix and The Who, as well as the first major public performances of Janis Joplin and Otis Redding.

Robert F. Kennedy

Mar 16, 1968

Robert F. Kennedy announces his candidacy for President. Robert Kennedy is the brother of John Kennedy, who was assassinated on November 22, 1963 as the 35th president of the United States.

Martin Luther King's death

Apr 4, 1968

At age 39, MLK was shot and killed by an escaped convict James Earl Ray.

Elvis makes a comeback

Dec 3, 1968

Elvis Presley did a comeback special on tv. His voice had changed, as did the times.

James Earl Ray

Mar 20, 1969

James Earl Ray, the concvict that shot and killed MLK is sentenced to 99 years for his successful assassination.

Desegregation?

Oct 30, 1969

Supreme Court orders desegregation nationwide. Completely ridding of the Jim Crow laws of the South.