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The Cold War
This was not a typical war involving military and fighting, but rather a political war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union desired to grow as a communist nation, and America would not allow it. For 45 years these political tensions would rage on. -
South Vietnamese Troops Trained
The President agrees to train the South Vietnamese troops in order to support them. -
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The Vietnam War
A war between the communist nation North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The U.S was involved in this war for nineteen years and assisted South Vietnam in the war, while the Cold War also was going on. -
Rosa Parks Refuses to Give Up Seat
On this day, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white person. This led to her being arrested but sparked a boycott that later made the bus segregational laws unconstitutional. -
First Transatlantic Telephone Cable
The first Transatlantic telephone cable began operation. -
John F. Kennedy Inaugurated
John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States. -
Bay of Pigs
This invasion of Cuba by American troops miserably failed, attempting to end the regime of Fidel Castro. This failure was a major embarrassment for Kennedy. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
On this date, the Cuban Missile Crisis began. After hearing about atomic weapons being built by the Soviet Union, Kennedy orders military and naval blockade on equipment coming to Cuba. This is one of the first major heated events of the Cold War. -
"I Have a Dream" -Martin Luther King Jr.
Along with the Civil Rights March, Martin Luther King Jr. delivers a powerful speech on the visions he has for America and calls out the racial injustices the country has yet to rid of. -
Assassination of John F. Kenedy
While going through downtown on a Motorcade, President John F. Kennedy is shot and later dies, assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. A few days later, Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn into presidency. -
Nixon Becomes President
Richard Nixon is inaugurated as the 37th president of the United States. He later resigns knowing he may face impeachment. -
First Astronauts on the Moon
Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, Jr. become the first Astronauts to land on the moon.