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Start of the Cold War
Following World War II, there were heavy tensions between the two world powers that had risen - the United States and the Soviet Union. A Cold War rivalry developed between the two counties where fear of nuclear weapons reached an all-time high. The Cold War ultimately lasted a span of forty-four years. https://youtu.be/wVqziNV7dGY -
Brown v. Board of Education
In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka proved to be a landmark Supreme Court case. It had ultimately revoked the previous justification of segregation that was established in Plessy v. Ferguson - "separate but equal". The Supreme Court had ruled that racial segregation was unconstitutional in public schools as a result of the case. Overall, Brown v. Board of Education showed great progress in the Civil Rights movement. https://youtu.be/1siiQelPHbQ -
Start of the Vietnam War
Following Vietnam's freedom from French rule, Ho Chi Minh and his Viet Minh forces took the opportunity to engage in an uprising in the northern city of Hanoi. As a result of Ho Chi Minh's desire for a nation following communism, he took over North Vietnam as president. On the contrary, Emperor Bao Dai was in control of South Vietnam where he and his followers wished for a Vietnam with close economic ties to the West. https://youtu.be/EunyfX-Zjo4 -
Elvis Presley on the Ed Sullivan Show
With the Ed Sullivan Show being the country's most popular telev ision program at the time, Elvis Presley made an unforgettable debut as a famous American icon. Prior to Presley's appearance on the show, Sullivan was against Presley performing on the show, only to see that Presley had boosted Steve Allen's show's ratings. The young idol Elvis Presley performed his song Don't Be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Ready Teddy, and Hound Dog. https://youtu.be/sGZm7EOamWk -
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
As the beloved and popular President John F. Kennedy and his administration prepared for his next presidential campaign, he was assassinated during a campaign in Texas. A wave of sorrow swept through America as he was fatally shot in the head, leaving First Lady Jackie Kennedy to witness the killing firsthand. As a result of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was inaugarated as a replacement. https://youtu.be/0FCqjClIxuU -
Start of the Selma to Montgomery March
The Selma to Montgomery March was a significant part of the Civil Rights movement, raising efforts to register black votes in the South. It was a route from Selma to Montgomery, a fifty-four-mile journey. Throughout the march, protestors encountered instances where they were confronted with violence from local authorities and white supremacist groups. https://youtu.be/gM-tfj6lp6w -
End of the Selma to Montgomery March
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Super Bowl I
In 1960, the American Football League was founded as a rival to the National Football League. Years following their founding, the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs were put up against the NFL's Green Bay Packers in what was known as the first AFL-NFL World Championship, later called the Super Bowl I. It resulted in a game of 10 to 35, where the Green Bay Packers won victoriously. -
The Great Inflation of the 1970s
During the 1970s, there was a rapid increase of prices and unemployment, ultimately creating a stagflation. A stagflation is defined by an overall high inflation combined with high unemployment. The causes of the great inflation stem from oil prices, currency speculators, businessmen, and union leaders. (http://www.timetoast.com) -
Watergate Scandal
In 1972, several burglars, ultimately connected to President Richard Nixon, were found in the office of the Democratic National Committee wiretapping phones and stealing documents. This specific event caused a massive change in American politics, leading citizens to question who they elect and whether they can trust them. As a result, Nixon resigned after his part in the scandal was revealed to all. https://youtu.be/3_dGOj0X8b0 -
End of the Vietnam War
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Murder of John Lennon
Famous American singer from a widely known group, The Beatles, John Lennon was murdered at the hands of Mark David Chapman. The supposed fan waited for Lennon at the front of his home, carrying a revolver that would soon put an end to a legend's life. The five bullets that had been shot from the revolver hit Lennon with complete accuracy. Following his death, Chapman was charged as guilty accordingly. -
Reaganomics
With the presidential campaign of 1980 in play, Ronald Reagan proposed a plan to relieve the nation's economic situation. Reaganomics consisted of a phased 30% tax cut for the first three years of his presidency, focused primarily on the upper-income levels. Reagan believed by relieving the well-off of taxes, they would likely spend and invest more into the economy. -
First Woman in Space
On June 18, 1983, the space shuttle Challenger changed history for women. On that particular day, Sally Ride became the first woman to go into space. In the year of 1977, NASA began to search for women astronauts of which student at the time Sally Ride applied for. As an astronaut, she had the job to work the robotic arm to help put satellites into space. -
First MTV Awards
Hosted by Dan Akroyd and Bette Midler, the first MTV Awards took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Major award winners and celebrities, such as Herbie Hancock winning five awards and Michael Jackson winning three, were present and added to the hype of the event. In addition, following the awards, the venue was later renamed to "Video City Music Hall" by NYC Mayor Ed Koch. -
Creation of the World Wide Web
In December of 1990, Tim Berners-Lee, a scientist at CERN, revolutionized all forms of technology as we knew it. In particular, he invented was it known as the World Wide Web. Similar to today, its original purpose was for scientists in universities and institutes globally to have the ability to share information to further develop research. -
End of the Cold War
