-
SNCC formed
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was formed and their main goal was nonviolence and direct action tactics -
First televised Presidential debate
Richard Nixon and John F Kennedy have a debate which was televised live to the nation. Nixon would sweat easily and in the hot condition of the room he did just that, which made him look like a coward, when he was not. The TV viewers voted for JFK and thought he won, while people who listened on the radio voted for Nixon and thought he won -
Roger Maris of the Yankees breaks Babe Ruth’s single season home run record
Roger Maris hit a 61 on the final game of the season, beating Babe Ruth's single season record -
First airing of “The Flintstones”
'The Flintstones' cartoon airs for the first time. -
The Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan
During the Ed Sullivan show, The Beatles, like other popular things of the time, appeared on stage. -
Russians send the first man into space
Yuri Gagarin was the first human in space, from the Soviet Union. -
Marilyn Monroe dies
American actress and model Marilyn Monroe dies of an overdose -
Berlin Wall Construction
A wall constructed to separate West and East Berlin (and GDR). The wall's construction was commenced by the government. -
SDS releases its Port Huron statement
A political manifesto of the American student activist movement, students for a democratic society (SDS). -
James Meredith registers at Ole Miss
James Meredith becomes the first African American student at the University of Mississippi. -
“Dr. No” the first James Bond movie premiers
The first James Bond movie arrives, eventually setting off many other movies and a popular franchise. -
Cuban Missile crisis
A dangerous confrontation between the US and Soviet forces during the Cold War. Although no missiles were fired it was a very tense moment that almost lead to nuclear war. -
President Kennedey is elected
JFK is elected 35th president of the US -
Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” Speech
Martin Luther King Jr gives his public speech, "I Have A Dream", at the Lincoln memorial -
JFK is assinated
While riding a motorcade through Dealey Plaza, in Dallas, Texas, JFK was shot and killed. -
The Beatles arrive in the United States
The Beatles band land in the US for the first time, welcomed by thousands of fans -
New York World’s Fair begins
Exhibits and mans achievements, held in NY. This fair lasted a few months -
Lyndon B Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater
Lyndon B Johnson defeated election opponent Barry Goldwater in a large landslide. -
Malcolm X assassinated
Activist Malcolm X is assassinated in New York -
Watts race riots
Race riots that took place in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. People in the later years believed these riots were linked to some sort of communist agenda or conspiracy. -
“Star Trek” TV show airs
Star Trek, another popular piece of TV media, premieres. This also became a successful series. -
First NFL Football Super Bowl
NFL held its first Super Bowl football game. -
Boxer Muhammed Ali refuses military service
Muhammad Ali refused to serve due to religious beliefs and opposition to the war. This put his boxing career on hold. -
San Francisco “Summer of Love” begins
Summer of Love was an event where 30,000 people gathered in SFs Golden Gate Park. This was a big social event for hippies. -
Beatles release Sgt. Pepper’s album
The Beatles release Sgt. Pepper's album, which was a hit -
Thurgood Marshall nominated to the Supreme Court
President Lyndon B Johnson nominated civil rights lawyer Thu good Marshall to the Supreme Court -
Tet offensive
North Vietnamese and communist Viet Cong forces attacked the US and South Vietnamese, causing them to lose many men before fending NV and VC off. -
Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated
Activist Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated at a Hotel in Memphis TN. -
Robert Kennedy assassination
Robert Kennedy, JFK's brother was assassinated -
Protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention
A series of protests against the US involvement in the Vietnam war. The protests lasts about 7 days -
LSD declared illegal by the U.S. government
LSD, a drug substance, is declared illegal by the US gov. -
Nixon is elected president
Richard Nixon is elected 37th president of the US -
Stonewall riots
A series of protests by members of the gay community in response to a police raid -
American astronauts land on the moon
Apollo-11 successfully lands on the moon, with 3 Americans to be the first men on the moon -
Woodstock concert
A musical festival that took place in Bethel, NY. Lots of people attended this event. 460,000-500,000 people allegedly showed up. -
The Rolling Stones host the Altamont music festival
The Rolling Stones host their Altamont music festival, in Livermore California.