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Election of 1960
The election of 1960 was between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. It marked a new aspect of the campaigning process because it was the first election that had a televised debate. Both candadites concidered the 60s as an era of oppurtunity for both economic and technological advancement. In the end, Kennedy won the election by a slim margin of 100,000 votes. -
Peace Crops Foundation
John F. Kennedy first introduced the idea of a peace corps in his presidential campaign in 1960 and later implemented it in 1961 under executive order 10924. The Peace Corps primarily served as a way to improve third world countries socially and economically. It also aimed at improving US reputation and strengthening democracy in developing nations. -
Bay of Pigs
The Bay of Pigs invasion was a US invasion of the southern coast of Cuba in hope of overthrowing Castro and establishing a non-communist government. Exiled Cubans were trained in CIA camps and fought in the land invasion of the coast. The attack was a mixture of miscommunication and a lack of preparation, and Castro’s forces handily defeated the US. Ultimately the event was an embarrassment to the CIA and the Kennedy administration as it failed to suppress the communist government. -
Alan Shepard and The Freedom 7
Alan Sheppard was a naval pilot from New Hampshire who was the first American man in space. He was chosen to pilot the Freedom 7 in the Mercury Project of 1959. He was the first man to manually control a space shuttle and return safely in the initial rocket. His voyage showed America and the world that the US had equal if not superior technology to the Soviets and their space program. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
On October 15, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was informed of the contruction of missiles in Cuba. Kennedy then organized the EX-COMM which was a group of advisors who helped him throughout the crisis. After a week of debating in congress, Kennedy ordered a naval quarantine of Cuba. In the end, however, Krushchev and Kennedy negociated their way out of a nuclear war and the crisis was merely a close call. -
The Warren Court: Criminal Justice Cases
Throughout the 60s Chief Justice Earl Warren oversaw numerous cases involving criminal justice. Two cases in particular were Gideon v. Wainwright and Miranda v. Arizona. In Gideon v. Wrainwright, the Supreme Court ruled that if a defendant could not afford an attorney one would be provided for him/her. The Miranda decision stated that if a criminal is not informed of his/her rights all evidence recieved from questioning would be inadmissible. -
John F. Kennedy Assasintation
On November 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assasinated while at a parade in Dallas, Texas. The event shocked the nation and eventually made Kennedy a martyr. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the murder of Kennedy but was killed a few days later. Lyndon B. Johson was sworn in as the 36th president soon after and was reelected in 1964. -
Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty
After Michael Harrington spread awareness of poverty in rural America, Lyndon B. Johnson answered in his 1964 State of the Union address. His Economic Oppurtunity Act served as a means to support health and education of the poor. Johnson also created Medicare and Medicaid to provide healthcare for both the poor and the elderly. Johnson's War on Poverty proved to be the bckbone of his campaign and was vital to his "Great Society's" success. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
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Lyndon B. Johnson signed this act in 1964 and it ended discrimination in school, public accommodations, and the workplace. This act goes hand in hand with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which eliminates voting restrictions like literacy tests. These acts were some of the final steps on the road to civil equality. However, the legislation came with heavy resistance especially in the south where racial tension was the worst. -
Election of 1964
The election was between Barry Goldwater and Lyndon B. Johnson. Goldwater, an outspoken oppenent of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, did not even have total support from his Republican counterparts. In the end, Lyndon B. Johnson won the election, gaining 61 percent of the popular vote. This was the largest margin of victory since the election of 1820. -
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was signed into legislation by President Lyndon b. Johnson. This act meant that visas would be available on a first-come first-serve basis. Prior to this Act, European immigrats were given preference over other immigrants. Because of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 the Population of the United States became much more diverse and became the destination of immigrants from all over the world. -
National Organization for Women
The National Organization for Women was founded in 1966 by Betty Friedan, Pauli Murray and Shirley Chrisholm and became a powerful force in the battle for gender equality. The NOW organized large scale strikes and protests, the largest being the Women’s Strike for Equality in 1970. Ultimately, groups like the NOW began to redefine the role of women in society and pushed for constitutional equality. -
Detriot Race Riots
The Detroit Race Riot of 1967 was a citywide riot that began with police brutality and escalated to violence, theft and killings. The riot eventually ended when Lyndon B. Johnson sent in federal troops to arrest over 13000 people. This riot was only one example of the race riots that took place in urban environments across the US all caused by police brutality, racial prejudice, and social and economic differences. -
Martin Luther King Jr. Assasination
The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. marked a tragic loss for the nation and the Civil Rights Movement. King oversaw numerous successful protests, like the March on Washington in 1963, where he gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. His death proved to sadden the Black community but also motivate them to work until his dreams were realized. -
Election of 1968
The election of 1968 was between Richard Nixon (republican),Hubert Humphrey (democrat) and George Wallace (American Independent). The election is extremely tight as Nixon wins by only about 1% of the popular vote. Nixon ultimately prevails by using the “southern strategy” in which he targeted southern conservatives and ignited their distaste of the civil rights movement to gain votes. He also promoted “law and order” which appealed to the US public that was dealing with race riots in many cities -
Apollo 11
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Aldrin, Collins, and Armstrong become the first humans to reach the moon on June 20 1969 as the Apollo 11 wins the lunar space race for the United States. The event was televised and attracted over 500 million viewers the day of the landing. Though the was not the end of the space race it was a huge victory for the American space program and American technology. -
Woodstock Festival
Woodstock On August 15 1969, the Woodstock Festival began. A crowd of 500,000, endured three long days and nights of sub-standard living conditions and non-stop music. The festival had a theme of peace, love, and harmony that went on to last throughout the 70s. In the midst of the Vietnam War, Woodstock served as a reminder to the world that humans could coexist in a peaceful way.
