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SNCC formed
Over the course of three days, 200 college students and Shaw University founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. -
First televised Presidential debate
The first televised presidential debate between candidates John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Many believe that this debate helped Kennedy win. -
The first episode of the Flinstones airs
A now iconic cartoon about a prehistoric family airs its first episode -
JFK is elected
The 44th quadrennial election, John F. Kennedy is elected. Representing the Democratic Party with VP Lyndon Johnson, JFK is the youngest man elected to the presidency -
The Berlin Wall begins construction
The wall separating West and East Berlin began its construction. This wall also separated the halves controlled by the Allies of WW2 and the Soviet Union -
Roger Maris breaks Babe Ruth's Record
Roger Maris of the Yankees break's Babe Ruth's record for home runs in a single season of baseball. -
SDS releases its Port Huron statement
Students for a Democratic Society, a student activist releases its political manifesto. -
Marilyn Monroe died
The famous starlet died at the age of 36 due to an overdose. -
James Meredith registers at Ole Miss
Meredith becomes the first African American student at the University of Mississippi. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
From October 16th to the 28th the world held its breath before nuclear war. Soviet missiles in Cuba and American missiles in the middle east were targeted at each superpower -
“Dr. No” the first James Bond movie premiers
The first movie starring pop culture icon James Bond is released. Bond is portrayed by Sean Connery. -
The "I Have a Dream" Speech
During a large civil rights rally in Washington DC, Martin Luther King Jr delivers his most iconic speech. -
JFK is assassinated
JFK was assassinated during a political rally in Texas. The FBI declared Lee Harvey Oswald the culprit -
The Beatles arrive in the USA
A popular up and coming musical group arrives to appear on the Ed Sullivan show. They are met by legions of adoring fans -
The Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan
The legendary band the Beatles appeared on a famous talk show viewed by 73 million people -
New York World’s Fair begins
This fair was known as a glimpse into the future that comforted Americans on the unknown future with all of the new technologies. -
Lyndon B Johnson wins the 1964 election
Lyndon B Johnson wins the election against Republican Senator Barry Goldwater -
Malcolm X is assassinated
Malcolm X, radical yet influential Civil Rights figure is assassinated in Washington Heights. -
Watts race riots
A series of violent confrontations between Los Angeles police and the predominately African American population at Watts. -
“Star Trek” TV show airs
Star Trek airs its first episode showing the USS Enterprise under the command of James T. Kirk. -
LSD is outlawed in the USA
LSD, a hallucinogen used by hippies of the era, is outlawed. -
The Summer of Love begins
The Human Be-In takes place, launching this "summer". A movement for peace, love, music, and psychedelics. -
The First NFL Superbowl
The culmination of the NFL and AFL's merger. The game was played in LA and between the Kansas City Chief and Green Bay Packers. -
Muhammad Ali refuses Military Service
At the height of the Vietnam War, world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali refuses to serve in the military -
Beatles release Sgt. Pepper
The Beatles release Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, one of their most iconic albums -
Thurgood Marshall nominated to the Supreme Court
Nominated by Lyndon Johnson, Marshall was a distinguished civil rights lawyer. He became the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court. -
The Tet Offensive
Occurred on the lunar New Year/Tet. The Viet Cong forces launched an attack on South Vietnam -
Martin Luther King Jr is assassinated
Martin Luther King jr, a preacher and leader in the Civil Rights movement is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. -
Robert Kennedy is assassinated
Not long after his brother's assassination, Robert Kennedy was killed. He was another notable political figure about to run for president. -
Protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention
An antiwar protest from August 23rd to August 29. Chicago police were called in to shut down the mob screaming "The whole world is watching" -
Richard Nixon is elected
Richard Nixon was elected in the 46th quadrennial election. He represented the Republican Party and the silent majority -
The Stonewall Riots
A gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York was raided by police. However the patrons decided to fight back rather than comply, changing LGBTQ life -
American Astronauts land on the moon
The Apollo Lunar Module Eagle landed on the moon. Astronauts included Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin -
The Woodstock Concert
A huge concert at the Woodstock Festival held concerts late into the night. -
The Rolling Stones host Altamont
The Rolling Stones, a popular and legendary rock band, host the Altamont music festival at Altamont Speedway.