1960-1970

First Sit-In Protests

Feb 1, 1960

A group of students launch protests against segregation at a "Whites only" lunch counter of the Woolworth store in Greensboro, NC. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

U2 Plane Shot Down

May 1, 1960

PBSSoviet Russia shoots down U.S. spy plane. Pilot Francis Gary Powers is detained for two years.

The US launches Discoverer XIV, its first camera equipped spy satellite.

Aug 18, 1960

http://www.thespacerace.com/timeline/

Kennedy Elected

Nov 8, 1960

John F. Kennedy wins presidency in tightest election since 1884. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Bob Dylan's First Public Performance

Apr 11, 1961

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Bay of Pigs: Failed Invasion of Cuba

Apr 16, 1961

CIA-backed Cuban exiles launch a failed attempt to remove Fidel Castro from power. An international embarrassment, the episode puts Kennedy's leadership in question. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

U.S. Denies Soviet Control of Space

May 25, 1961

The battle for technological superiority is a central theme in the Cold War between the U.S. and Russia --
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Ban-The-Bomb Protests

Period: Jul 1, 1961 to Jul 31, 1961

Anti-Nuclear Activists coordinate worldwide protests against nuclear weapons.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Cuban Missile Crisis

Period: Oct 22, 1962 to Oct 28, 1963

Photos by U.S. spy planes reveal the Soviets are positioning camouflaged nuclear missiles in Cuba.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

"I Have A Dream..."

Aug 28, 1963

MLK gave his I have a dream speech
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Kennedy Assassinated

Nov 22, 1963

President John F. Kennedy is shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. Lyndon Johnson is quick sworn in as President. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

U.S. Navy Arrives

Period: Apr 1, 1964 to Jun 1, 1964

After North Vietnam goes into Laos, U.S. moves 2 carriers offshore.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Civil Rights ActLegislation outlaws discrimination on basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Jul 2, 1964

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Ranger 7 transmits the first close range images of the Moon.

Jul 31, 1964

http://www.thespacerace.com/timeline/

U.S. Goes on the Offensive

Jun 8, 1965

U.S. troops in Vietnam get permission to go on the offensive. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Johnson Signs Medicare Bill

Jul 30, 1965

The legislation establishes a health program for the elderly. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Voting Rights Act

Aug 6, 1965

The legislation ends discrimination at the polls. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

The "Hippie" Comes Into Being

Sep 5, 1965

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Cold War Satire Premiers

May 25, 1966

The film The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, tells the story of the comic chaos which ensues when a Soviet submarine runs aground near a small New England town. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

NOW is Born

Jun 30, 1966

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded with the stated purpose of bringing "women into full participation in the mainstream of American society." http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Lunar Orbiter 1 enters orbit around the Moon and takes the first picture of the Earth from that distance.

Aug 14, 1966

http://www.thespacerace.com/timeline/

Star Trek Debuts

Sep 8, 1966

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Rolling Stone Magazine Premiers

Nov 9, 1967

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Shirley Chisholm Elected to Congress

Nov 5, 1968

becomes first African American woman elected to Congress.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

One Small Step for Man

Jul 20, 1969

first man on the moon
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Woodstock: Three Days of Peace, Music & Love

Period: Aug 15, 1969 to Aug 17, 1969

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html