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The Cold War
The Cold War continues between America and the Soviets. It expands to Vietnam and Cuba. -
Integration Begins
The Supreme Court orders that U.S. schools be integrated with great haste. This order was not followed everywhere, though. -
Disneyland Opens
Walt Disney opens the first of his many parks, Disneyland, in Anaheim California. -
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Vietnam War
The U.S. once again tries to stem the spread of communism through war, this time in Vietnam. They are unsuccessful, as this is one of the only wars in America's history to end in defeat. -
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is arrested for not giving up her seat to a white man on a bus. This would spark the Mongomery bus boycott, which ended segregation on public transportation. -
Eisenhower wins the Election Again
Eisenhower once again takes the election, beating Stevenson by an even larger margin than before. -
First Civil Rights Bill
The first major Civil Rights bill is approved by Congress. It adds more protection for voting rights. -
Failed Launch
The first attempt by the U.S. to reach space fails when their first satellite explodes on the launch pad. -
Explorer I
The first successful launch by the U.S. Explorer I, a satellite, reaches space without major problems. -
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) takes control of America's space program. -
Alaska and Hawaii
Alaska and Hawaii become the forty-ninth and fiftieth states in the union. -
Sit-Ins begin
When four college students are arrested for attending a "white-only" diner, this starts a national trend of sit-ins. -
JFK Elected
John F. Kennedy is elected, beating Richard Nixon. This was an important election since it held the first televised presidential debate. -
Bay of Pigs
The controversial invasion of Cuba is repelled at the bay of pigs. The Kennedy administration is criticized for its involvement in the campaign. -
Berlin Wall
The construction of the Berlin Wall begins, separating the Allied-controlled West Berlin, and the Soviet-controlled East. -
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Cuban Missile Crisis
The Soviet Union begins a weapon stockpile in Cuba, and America responded with a blockade of the island. This was the closest the Cold War came to actual combat. -
"I Have A Dream!"
The Civil Rights March on Washington D.C. culminates in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Over 200,00 people, both black and white, participated in the protest. -
John F. Kennedy Shot
John F. Kennedy is shot in Dallas Texas during a parade. Lee Harvey Oswald, the shooter, is caught and killed within a week. Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as the next president of the United States. -
Civil Rights gains Ground
Another Civil Rights bill is passed, limiting discrimination in jobs, voting, and accommodations. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
This resolution authorizes the president to take more action in Vietnam. -
Johnson Elected
Lydon B. Johnson is elected president after inheriting the role after Kennedy's assassination. -
Black Congressman Elected
A black congressman is elected to the U.S. Senate for the first time in eighty-five years. -
Nixon wins
Richard Nixon wins the presidency after losing to Kennedy two elections before. -
To the Moon
Neil Armstrong becomes the first man on the moon, effectively winning the space race for America. -
Voting Age Lowered
The 26th amendment to the constitution lowers the voting age from 21 to 18. -
Walt Disney World
Disneyworld opens in Orlando Florida. -
Nixon Crushes Opposition
Nixon wins his second term in one of the most lopsided elections in American history. He would win 520 votes to his opponents 17 -
Roe v. Wade
The Supreme Court rules that abortion should not be illegal for up to 6 months of pregnancy. -
Nixon Resigns
Amid the Watergate Scandal, Richard Nixon resigns to avoid being impeached. His administration had covered up a break-in to the DNC headquarters by two of his staff. He is succeeded by Gerald Ford. -
Communist Forces take Vietnam
The North Vietnamese forces take over South Vietnam. American troops had been fully evacuated a year before.