1960s Era Timeline

  • Nixon-Kennedy Debates (1st on Television)

    Nixon-Kennedy Debates (1st on Television)
    This was the first televised debate, which is assumed to be why Kennedy got many votes. It was said that those who WATCHED the debate were on Kennedy's side, while those who LISTENED to it were on Nixon's.
  • The Assassination of John F. Kennedy

    The Assassination of John F. Kennedy
    While parading in a convertible, President Kennedy was shot. This assassination resulted in many conspiracy theories about the shooting and the reasons behind it. While it is considered "solved", many people disagree with the outcome of the investigation. The road and the buildings around it have been preserved and are tourist locations.
  • The Beatles Appear for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show

    The Beatles Appear for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show
    The arrival of this new group changed the music industry for years to come. It also inspired many other artists to become rock musicians. They performed a song called "All My Loving".
  • The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

    The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
    This resolution from the "threat" of the North Vietnamese in the international waters gave President Johnson the right to do whatever he thinks is best. This would later come out to be a mistake.
  • Operation Rolling Thunder

    Operation Rolling Thunder
    This was a gradual bombing campaign over North Vietnam, China, and North Korea. It was interrupted many times. The idea was to weaken the enemies' ability to fight.
  • March on the Pentagon

    March on the Pentagon
    Around 35,000 showed up to protest the Vietnam War. Many people were arrested and injured. This was the first national protest of the war.
  • Mai Lai Massacre

    Mai Lai Massacre
    This was a war crime by the United States. Hundreds of unarmed civilians were murdered. This was done because it was supposedly controlled by the Vietcong. However, there was no real evidence of this as no VC were found.
  • Riots at the Chicago Democratic Convention

    Riots at the Chicago Democratic Convention
    These were a series of protests against the Vietnam War before the Democratic Convention. It led to many protestors breaking out of their assigned area, leading to riots and fights between police and protestors.
  • Newport Jazz Festival

    Newport Jazz Festival
    This was the first time the Jazz Festival had started to experiment with rock music. It included artists such as Herbie Handcock and groups such as Led Zeppelin.
  • Woodstock

    Woodstock
    This was a music and art fair put on by four inexperienced leaders. It took place on a farm in New York. It was the largest and most memorable of its time.
  • Chicago 8 Trial

    Chicago 8 Trial
    This was a trial of 8 men who were arrested for conspiring the riot at the Democratic convention in Chicago. The number was lowered to 7 after Bobby Seale's separation from the case. These men would become big figures in the civil rights and anti-war movements.
  • Kent State Protest

    Kent State Protest
    This was a rally protesting the Vietnam War and the draft, along with the National Guard on the campus. The Guard started to shoot. Some students were injured and others were killed.
  • Roe vs. Wade

    Roe vs. Wade
    This was a great move for women's rights in the United States. This Supreme Court ruling declared that it was constitutional to have an abortion in America.
  • The Beatles Break Up

    The Beatles Break Up
    The new star band broke up because of many factors. The main reason was the members' personal lives and legal battles, causing stress and tension in the band.