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Brown v. Board of Education
myloc.govIn Topeka, Kansas, Linda Brown was denied acceptance to her local elementary school in Topeka because she was African American. When, combined with many other cases, her suit reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court unanimously overruled the "separate but equal" doctrine of Plessy v. Ferguson. It ruled that schools must end segregating. Southern school systems slowly began to integrate. -
Operation Wetback
1950immigrationOperation Wetback was established to remove illegal Mexican immigrants ("wetbacks") from the Southwest. The program resulted in a more permanent, strategic border control along the United States/Mexico border. Illegal immigrants were sent back by forced and armed military. The United States government illustrated that they do not tolerate illegal activities. -
Rosa Parks
InfopleaseRosa Parks Facts
In Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks refused to give up her set on a bus in the colored section to a white man, after the white section was filled. She was arrested for refusing to move. It launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott which lasted for over a year, until the buses were desegregated. -
Interstate Highway System
kansapedia President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act which created the Interstate Highway Sysytem. The I-70 in Kansas was 424-miles long and marked the longest continuous segment of Interstate highway to be completed in any state. The first part of the United State's new Interstate Highway System was opened to traffic west of Topeka. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhowerwhitehouse.govDwight D. Eisenhower ran for re-election for presidency and won. The election was a re-match of 1952, his opponent was Democrat Adlai Stevenson, whom he had defeated four years earlier. Eisenhower was popular, but had health issues that became a big problem. He concentrated on maintaining world peace. In domestic policy, Eisenhower took a middle course. -
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
sclcnationalThe Southern Christian Leadership Conference began when the Montgomery Bus Boycott was a success. In New Orleans, Louisiana, the name was shortened and there was an establishment of the Board of Directors. Martin Luther King, Jr., served as the President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. They focused on nonviolent principles. It coordinated protest activities across the South. -
Little Rock Nine
Little Rock Ninenps.gov
In Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, nine African American students were blocked from entering the school due to Governor Orval Faubus's orders. Federal troops and the National Guard were sent by President Eisenhower in order to escort the nine children into the school. They become known as the "Little Rock Nine." -
Greensboro Four
Greensboro FourAmerican History
In Greensboro, North Carolina, four freshman attending A&T State University took seats at the segregated lunch counter of F. W. Woolworth's. Although they were refused service, they sat there peacefully until the store closed. Twenty-five other students joined them the next day when they returned. They inspired other sit-ins across the state. Eventually, in July, Woolworth's integrated all of its stores. -
John F. Kennedy
PictureJohn F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President. He explained the need for all Americans to be active citizens in his inaugural speech. The Kennedy family thought that the White House should be a place to celebrate American history, His family brought a new, vibrant spirit to the White House. However, as President, he had many worries. -
Trade Expansion Act
jfklibrary.orgThe Trade Expansion Act authorized tariff cuts of up to 50 percent to promote trade with Common Market countries. This legislation led to an important expansion of European-American trade.It also caused the so-called Kennedy Round of tariff negotiations. Kennedy, David., et al. The American Pageant. Thirteenth edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. -
Birmingham Campaign
historylearningsiteMartin Luther King, Jr. launched a campaign against discrimination in Birmingham, Albama, known as the most segregated large city in America. High-pressure hoses were directed at the civil rights demonstrators. The strong, forceful water took out children. The world watched the horrible violence take place towards the peaceful civil rights marchers from their televisions. President Kennedy responded with a speech calling for a new civil rights legislation. -
Kennedy's Televised Speech
jfklibrary.org
After the world watched on television, the protest marchers get repelled by police dogs and electric cattle prods in Birmingham, President Kennedy gave a memorable televised speech. He named the situation a "moral issue." He committed his personal and presidential esteem to finding a solution. He called for a new civil rights legislation to protect Afircan American citizens. Kennedy, David., et al. The American Pageant. Thirteenth edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006 -
March on Washington
Congress of Racial Equality
An estimated quarter of a million people marched from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, and about a quarter of them were white. It was very peaceful. There were musical performances. Money was raised by the sale of buttons for twenty-five cents apiece.Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I have a Dream" speech.It proved the power of mass appeal. The march eneded at 4:20 in the afternoon. The organizers then met with President Kennedy. The March was very successful. -
Lyndon B. Johnson
Encyclopedia
Lyndon B. Johnson became the president after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In addition, he was elected President on his own, winning by a large amount over Barry Goldwater in the 1964 election. He appeared before a joint session of Congress, just five days after taking office. He helped pass important legislation. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
ourdocuments.govPresident Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act outlawed segregation in businesses like theaters, restaurants, and hotels. It outlawed discriminatory practices in employment and put an end to segregation in public places like swimming pools, libraries, and public schools. It was very difficult to get this act passed. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
http://www.britannica.com/ourdocuments.govThe Gulf of Tonkin Resolution's purpose was to support the president in taking all required actions to deter any armed attack against the military of the United States and to prevent further invasion. In addition, it states that the upholding of international peace and security in Southeast Asia was essential to American interests. It was created in reaction to two attacks by North Vietnamese torpedo boats on the destroyers Maddox and C. Turner Joy of the U.S. Seventh Fleet. -
Economic Opportunity Act of 1964
lbjlibrary.orgmillercenter.orgThe Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was essential to President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society campaign and its War on Poverty. The act had many social programs that promoted health, education, and general welfare of the poor community. It stated that the Office of Economic Opportunity would run the program. The Republicans voted in opposition to the act. -
US Forces Increase To 125,000
History.comhistroycentral.comPresident Johnson announces an increase in US military forces from 75,000 to 125,000 in Vietnam. The monthly draft is also increased from 17,000 to 35,000. The first 4,000 paratroopers of the 101st airborne division arrive in Vietnam on July 29th.
At the same time, Johnson reassured that the United States was ready to seek a negotiated end to the war. He appealed to the United Nations and any of its member states to help accomplish this task. -
Voting Acts Right of 1965
Congress of Racial EqualityPresident Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, making it easier for Southern blacks to register to vote. In just over four months, Congress passed the bill. Voting requirements that were made to prevent African Americans from voting, such as poll taxes and literacy tests, were made illegal. It also expanded voting rights for non-English speaking citizens. -
Black Panther
InfopleaseBlackPanther.org
The Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland, California by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale. It was created in order to protect African Americans from police brutality. The group wanted to achieve black liberation. The two founders were both tried for various crimes and in 1974 both Seale and Newton left the party. -
Tet Offensive
history.state.govThe Viet Cong and North Vietnam launched the tet offensive, which was a military campaign, against South Vietnam, the United States, and their allies during the Vietnam War. It was a campaign of surprise attacks that were launched throughout South Vietnam, during a period when no attacks were supposed to take place. On national radio broadcasts, North and South Vietnam stated there would be a two-day cease-fire during the holiday. However, the communists went back on what they said and attacked. -
Civil Rights Act of 1968
NAACP
President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. built up the support needed to pass the bill. It prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. It provided federal solutions. It included the Indian Bill of Rights to Native Americans and contained anti-riot provisions. -
Richard M. Nixon
EmersonKent.comNixon delivered his First Inaugural Address as the 37th president of the United States, after defeating Democrat Hubert H. Humphrey. Spiro T. Agnew served as his vice president. During Nixon's presidential campaign, he promised to end the war in Vietnam and bring peace to the United States. -
Cambodia Attack
pbs.orgSouth Vietnamese troops attacked Cambodia. They pushed near Vietcong bases. U.S. forces of 30,000, including three U.S. divisions, launch a second attack, two days later. There were operations in Cambodia for 60 days, and massive North Vietnamese jungle supply depots were discovered. They captured 28,500 weapons, over 16 million rounds of small arms ammunition, and 14 million pounds of rice. There were over 10,000 casualties, even though most Vietcong escaped across the Mekong. -
Clean Air Act of 1970
pbs.orgPresident Nixon sent dozens of environmental proposals to Congress. One of the most important pieces of environmental legislation ever passed was the Clean Air Act of 1970. It was created to control air pollution on a national level. In addition, he started two new agencies, the Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency, to look after environmental issues. -
Apollo–Soyuz Test Project
history.nasa.govwww-pao.ksc.nasa.govPresident Nixon approved of a five-year cooperative program between NASA and the Soviet space program, resulting in the joint mission of an American Apollo and Soviet Soyuz spacecraft linking in space. It was the last flight of Apollo spacecraft. It marked the end of the Space Race between the two superpowers. -
American Combat Soldiers Leave South Vietnam
pbs.comThe last American combat soldiers leave South Vietnam. However, military advisors and Marines stay because they are protecting U.S. installations. The war is officially over for the United States. Over three million Americans served in the Vietnam War. Almost 58,000 Americans died and about 150,000 were wounded. Over 1,000 were missing in action. -
Gerald Ford
NNDB.com
Gerald Ford was sworn in as President, after Richard Nixon resigned his presidency. Ford named Nelson Rockefeller to be his Vice President. He was very athletic and had good health. Two insane women made different attempts to assassinate Ford, during his Presidency. -
Ford Pardons Watergate Scandal
fordlibrarymuseum.govhistory.comPresident Ford gave a speech pardoning President Nixon for any crimes he may have committed as president. The Watergate Scandal began when several burglars were arrested inside the office of the Democratic National Committee. They were connected to Nixon’s reelection campaign, and got caught while trying to wiretap phones and steal confidential documents. It is unknown if Nixon knew about the Watergate operation beforehand, but it was proven that he tried to cover it up afterwards. -
Rescuing Americans and South Vietnamese
presidency.ucsb.eduPresident Ford urged Congress to vote for more weapons for Vietnam, but they disagreed. Therefore, the South Vietnamese quickly collapsed. The remaining Americans and about 140,000 South Vietnamese had to be rescued by helicopter out of Vietnam. Eventually, about 500,000 came over to the United States. Ford compassionately admittted the South Vietnamese into the United States.
Kennedy, David., et al. The American Pageant. Thirteenth edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.
