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President Kennedy becomes president
President Kennedy was much younger and more charismatic than any president before him, he would also attempt to ease conflict with the USSR prior to being assassinated while riding in a convertible. -
SNCC is formed
The SNCC or student nonviolent coordinating committee was a group created by Martin Luther King that had the aims of organizing non violent protests and civil disobedience with the goal of civil rights. -
First televised Presidential debate
The first American televised presidential debate took place between Democrat JFK and Republican Richard Nixon. -
The Flintstones aires for the first time
This cartoon aired and was massively popular, it inspired numerous cartoons that came after it. -
The Russians put the first man into space
The Russians put the first man into space and return him alive. This was a huge leap in the ongoing space race between the USSR and the US and implied Russian technology was superior to American technology. -
The berlin wall is constructed
During the cold war, Germany was right in the middle of the struggle between communism and capitalism and was split between east germany and west germany being communist and capitalist respectively. The wall was constructed to keep east German citizens from fleeing to the freedom of west Germany. -
Roger Maris breaks Babe Ruth's record
Roger Maris broke a longstanding record from baseball legend babe ruth during his last game. -
SDS releases its Port Huron statement
The SDS used this statement to expose the ineffectiveness of the current American justice system. -
Marilyn Monroe Dies
Marilyn Monroe was a cultural icon and changed the idea that women always had to be polite and proper by being more rambunctious and provocative, she dies tragically of a drug overdose. -
James Meredith registers at Ole Miss
James Meredith became the first African American to attend college in Mississippi, this set a precedent of it being more acceptable for African Americans to attend college -
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The Cuban missile crisis
In this event, Cuba agreed to have Soviet bombs set up in their territory. The United States was reasonably concerned and entered fierce negotiation with Cuba which at the time was under the leadership of communist Fidel Castro. (I can't put picture for this one or the Tet offensive because they are time spans) -
“Dr. No” the first James Bond movie premiers
James Bond was a spy/action movie featuring Sean Connery, this film would inspire numerous Bond films to succeed it. -
Martin Luther King I have a dream speech
Martin Luther King delivered this speech where he talked about his vision for the future of America, where "people are not judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character" -
The beatles arrive in the US
The beatles where an extremely popular music band that originated in liverpool, England. They came to America to tour and quickly became cultural icons for the youth and young adults. -
The Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan
The Beatles where massively popular English music icons of the 1960s, they appeared on the popular American show 'The Ed Sullivan Show" where they performed some of their songs. -
The state fair begins in NY
The united states hosted the world fair in New York, it featured a large metal globe in the center and was focused on world peace through understanding. -
LBJ defeats Barry Goldwater
Incumbent president Lindon B Johnson defeats republican nominee Barry Goldwater in a presidential debate. -
Malcolm X is assasinated
Malcolm X was a civil rights activist who, unlike doctor king, believed in responding to violence with violence. He was fatally shot at a civil rights rally. -
The Watts race riots
In response to harsh treatment of a suspected African American drunk driver by police, riots broke out across Watts California. These riots called for equal treatment of African Americans by police officers. -
“Star Trek” TV show airs
Star Trek was a space themed show with strong characterization and interaction between characters, it capitalized on America's fascination with space from the recent space race. -
Thurgood Martail is nominated for the supreme court
Thurgood Marshall was the first Black supreme court justice, this represented a changing society that was more accepting of African Americans. -
The start of the summer of love
A great number of people who supported the counterculture movement got together in Golden Gate Park to have a good time. -
The First NFL Super Bowl
This was the first of many Superbowls, a championship between the two best American football teams. This event drew massive popularity. -
Boxer Muhammad Ali refuses military service
Muhammad Ali, a famous boxing champion, refused to join the military despite being drafted. The war was very unpopular at the time and Ali refused to go due to his Muslim faith. -
The beatles release Sgt. peppers album
An influential album released by the beatles, it broke the traditional sounds of ROck and roll and opened up the industry for others. -
Richard Nixon becomes president
Richard Nixon Was a republican who was president in 1968, he is famous for the watergate scandal in which he spied on his political opponents illegally. -
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The Tet offensive
The Tet offensive was an attack launched by North Vietnamese soldiers on numerous cities in south Vietnam. It was very successful at the beginning as they caught the south off guard by attacking on a Vietnamese holiday, however, their progress was soon halted as reinforcements arrived. -
Martin Luther King is assassinated
Leader of the civil right movement, Martin Luther King, was assassinated via gunshot by James Earl Ray. -
Protests at the Democratic convention
This was a protest, mainly against the American war in vietnam and the government officials who were keeping it going. The national guard got involved to keep order, however, they were equipped with guns without ammunition. -
LSD is outlawed in the United States
LSD was outlawed by the United States government, this was most likely a response to the increased recreational use of the drug by people indulging in counter culture. -
Americans land on the moon
towards the end of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, America became the first nation to have its astronauts land and walk on the moon. This was considered a huge victory for America. -
Stonewall riots
These riots where a response to aggressive action from police officers in gay establishment in Greenwich village, these riots where considered instrumental to the gay rights movement. -
The assassination of Robert Kennedy
Robert Kennedy, brother of John kennedy, was assassinated while running for president. -
The woodstock concert
A massive music festival that took place in Bethel NY, it notoriously had a lot of controlled substances and was popular with young adults. -
The Rolling Stones host the Altamonte music festival
This concert hosted by The Rolling Stones was a massive counter culture rock and roll music fetstival attended by approximately 300,000 people.