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Elvis Presley
When Forest was a young boy his mother rented out their house to strangers in exchange for money. Elvis Presley was one of the renters and was "influenced" by Forest's stiff wobbly legs https://blog.uta.edu/popcult/2015/02/19/elvis-presley%E2%80%99s-impact-on-pop-culture-and-society/ -
Brown V. Board of Education
Reversing the decision of Plessy V. Ferguson, this decision was presented when the first Black student came to University of Alabama and only Forrest was open to the idea. This was -
Little Rock Nine
Little Rock nine was an event in which a group of African Americans wanted to attend a white high school, but were prevented by from entering by Governor Faubus and there were many riots about the children trying to attend the school. Eisenhower then stepped in by calling in the national guard to protect the students so they could attend school. In the movie, Forrest is seen witnessing Vivian Malone enter the school and picked up her book.
KeyConcept 8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLzIsJqxC5I -
Hippie Movement
Once Forrest got drafted to Vietnam, Jeannie became a hippie in protest against the Vietnam war. There was a ralley Forrest attended and met up unintentionally with Jeannie.
Key concept 8.1 2B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pYwrgr3-Gg -
Assassination of John F Kennedy
John F Kennedy was assassinated in his open top convertible while waving at citizens in a parade. Lee Harvey Oswald fired shots at Kennedy and he died. In the movie, Forrest Gump is seen talking to a person about how Kennedy was a good man and that he didn't deserve to die.
Key Concept 8.3 1B -
KKK
In the movie, Forrest claims his mother named him after Civil war hero, Nathan Bedford Forrest. Even though Nathan Bedford Forrest was the founder of the Ku Klux Klan
Key Concept 8.3B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV_Q1OoYXsQ -
Black Panther Movement
Jenny takes Forrest to a Black Panther meeting. The Black Panther organization believed in preventing racism against blacks and fought for racial equality.
Key concept 8.1 2B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLzIsJqxC5I -
Hurricane Carmen
This Hurricane makes its way through the Gulf Of Mexico, destroying all shrimp boats except SS Jenny- Forrest's boat. With no competition left, Bubba Gump Shrimp co. becomes very successful . -
John Lennon
After returning from China, Forrest goes on a talk show at the same time as John Lennon. While Forrest explains his experiences in China, John Lennon is inspired to write the lyrics for his hit "Imagine". Forrest explains how in China people have no possessions or religion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgkThdzX-8 -
HIV/AIDS
Jeannie, Forrest Gump's lover has aids and decides to come back to Forrest. The AIDS epidemic was a relatively new STD which spread throughout the Nation. There were no cures or remedies at the time. This epidemic was spread because of the hippie movement and other social groups willing to experiment
Key Concept 9.1 1A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULrqL_aYoW0
