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'U2' Spy Plane shot down by USSR
When the US began flying spy planes over the USSR, the Soviets were aware. On May 1, 1960, A U2 plane flown by Gary Powers was shot down by the Soviets, forcing him to land in their territory. Powers was convicted of espionage and sentenced to three years in prison. -
First Televised Presidential Debate
The first ever televised presidential debate was between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Many felt that Nixon presented a better case and knowledge of the issues, but since Kennedy looked and spoke better on camera, he prevailed in the election of 1960. -
JFK's Inaugural Address
After winning the election against Nixon, JFK gave the famous "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" speech during his inaugural address. This phrase became one the most most well-known phrases of our time. -
John Glenn Orbits the Earth.
Marine Lieutenant John Glenn orbited the earth three times in roughly five hours. After his journey back into the atmosphere, he landed in the Atlantic Ocean. -
MLK's "I Have A Dream" Speech
Martin Luther King Jr. made his famus 'I Have A Dream' speech in Washington D.C where more than 200,000 people gathered to demand equal rights for blacks and whites. -
Assassination of President Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on the way to the Texas School Book Depository. Lee Harvey Oswald was suspected of the murder, but denied involvement. -
The Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan Show!
The Beatles made their first live television appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Approxiamately 74 million people watched them perform, making them one of the bggest groups in music history. -
1964 Civil Rights Act Passed.
The 1964 Civil Right Act made public racial discrimination illegal. Public places could no longer be segregated and employers must be equal oppurtunity. -
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was shot by James Earl Ray in Memphis, Tennessee outside the Lorraine Motel. He was only 39 years old. -
Man on the Moon.
Americans made history when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. One of the astronuats, Neil Armstrong, said upon the first step onto the moon's surface, "One small step for man, one giant leap for Mankind." This is one of the most famous quotes ever recorded. -
Woodstock!
The most famous music fest began on August 15 and carried on for three days on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York. Famous bands of the hippie era, such as Sweetwater, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, The Who, and Jimi Hendrix performed. It was one the most important cultural events in American history.
