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SNCC Formed
The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was formed at Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. They wanted to give a voice to younger African Americans who wanted to be involved in the civil rights movement. -
First Televised Presidential Debate
The first-ever televised Presidential Debate was between Kennedy and Nixon. Modern media has forever changed the landscape of politics. -
First Airing of "The Flintstones"
It was originally broadcast on ABC and was the first animated series to hold a prime slot on television. The first episode to air was titled "The Flintstone Flyer". -
President Kennedy is Elected
John F. Kennedy, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts, narrowly defeats Richard Nixon and becomes the 35th President. -
Soviets send First Man into Space
Aboard the Vostok 1, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human being to travel into space. He also became the first man to orbit the planet. -
Construction of the Berlin Wall
East German Soldiers laid down the foundation for what would become the Berlin Wall by laying down more than 30 miles of barbed wire and concrete barriers through the heart of Berlin. East Berlin citizens were forbidden to pass into West Berlin and the number of checkpoints where Westerners could cross was drastically reduced overnight. -
Roger Maris breaks Babe Ruth's Single Season Home Run Record
New York Yankee Roger Maris becomes the first-ever major-league baseball player to hit more than 60 home runs in a single season. Babe Ruth had set the record in 1927. -
SDS releases its Port Huron Statement
The Port Huron Statement is a political manifesto of the American student activist movement Students for a Democratic Society. It reflects democratic ideals and the new way of thinking for left-wing thinkers. -
Marilyn Monroe Dies
Known as an icon of the 50s and 60s and a popular sex symbol, she had a big part in changing attitudes towards sexuality. She died by overdosing on barbiturates in her home in Los Angeles. -
James Meredith Registers at Ole Miss
James Meredith was an African American student who attempted to enroll at the all-white University of Mississippi in 1962. Riots soon broke out but he was admitted when the NAACP sued the University. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
This was a 13 day political and military standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union due to the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States. This was the closest during the Cold War both powers had ever come to nuclear war. -
"Dr. No" The First James Bond Movie Premiers
The film that launched the James Bond series became a hit. It starred Sean Connery and had a box office of 59.5 million. -
Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" Speech
A speech delivered by MLK Jr. during the March on Washington, in which he called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. -
JFK is Assassinated
While riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, John F. Kennedy was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald and assassinated. -
The Beatles Arrive in America
The Beatles Arrive in America from England after having their first No. 1 song and appear on the Ed Sullivan Show where 40% of the population at the time had tuned in. Their concerts were sold out and their music caused a shift in the culture among the youth from the 50s music. -
The Beatles Appear on Ed Sullivan
When the Beatles came over to America, they appeared on the Ed Sullivan show where 73 million Americans tuned in or about 40% of the population to watch. -
New York World's Fair Begins
A world's fair that held over 140 pavilions and 110 restaurants for 80 nations, 24 U.S. States, and over 45 corporations to build exhibits or attractions at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, NYC. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
An alleged on two U.S. naval destroyers stationed off the coast of Vietnam. It led the U.S. to direct engagement in Vietnam. -
Lyndon B. Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater
Incumbent Democratic President Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater, the Republican nominee by a landslide. -
Malcolm X is Assassinated
In New York City, Malcolm X, a nationalist and religious leader, is assassinated by rival Black Muslims while addressing his Organization of Afro-American Unity at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights. -
Watts Riots
Riots involving property damage, arson, and looting caused by the arrest of an African American man by a Los Angeles Police Officer who claimed he was intoxicated. This erupted into a confrontation between police and the community where over 3,500 were arrested, over 1,000 injured, and 34 dead. -
"Star Trek" TV Show Airs
The show constantly related to current day issues with many not realizing it. It was also unheard of to have a multi-racial cast but the show did great. -
San Francisco "Summer of Love" Begins
Known as a cultural phenomenon where as many as 100,000 young people came together on the Haight-Asbury neighborhood. Music, art, fashion, and ideas were exchanged all in hopes for a peaceful and loving society. -
First NFL Football Super Bowl
The first AFL-NFL World Championship was played in Los Angeles, California between the Packers and Cheifs and was later known as Super Bowl I. -
Muhammad Ali refuses Military Service
Boxer Muhammad Ali refuses to be inducted into the U.S. Army and is stripped of his title. He was convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in prison, $10,000 in fines and banned from boxing for three years. -
Beatles Release Sgt. Pepper's Album
Many consider this album the best and most important rock & roll album ever made. It spent 15 weeks at number one on the Billboard Top LPs chart in the U.S. -
Monterey Pop Festival
This was a three-day festival at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, California. This festival validated rock music and featured bands such as The Grateful Dead, The Who, and Jimi Hendrix. -
Thurgood Marshall nominated to the Supreme Court
Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Justice appointed the Supreme Court. He played an instrumental role in promoting racial equality for the Civil Rights Movement. -
Tet Offensive
A series of North Vietnamese attacks on more than than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam meant to cause rebellion. It also played an important role in weakening U.S. public support for the war. -
Martin Luther King Jr. Assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. -
Robert Kennedy is Assassinated
Bobby Kennedy was giving a speech at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after having won the California presidential primary. He left accompanied and was shot several times by Sirhan Sirhan and others were wounded. -
Protests at the 1968 DNC
Anti-Vietnam War and counterculture groups had organized protests to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. -
LSD declared illegal by U.S. Government
LSD, a hallucinogenic drug that was highly popularized throughout the decade, was made illegal and declared a "Schedule I" Substance. -
Richard Nixon is Elected
Richard Nixon, Republican former Vice President, defeats Democrat Vice President Hubert Humphrey and becomes the 37th President. -
Stonewall Riots
The first major protests and demonstrations at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, NYC from the gay community against a police raid. -
U.S. Landing on Moon
Two American Astronauts landed the lunar module Eagle and became the first humans to walk on the moon. -
Manson Family Murders
Charles Manson had four members of his family invade Sharon Tate's home and kill her and 4 other occupants in the home. He had some sort of idea that a race war was gonna happen, but he would have to start it. -
Woodstock Festival
Woodstock was a three-day music festival held in Bethel, NY on a dairy farm that attracted over 400,000 people and many performers. -
The Rolling Stones Host Altamont Music Festival
This Altamont Speedway Free Festival was a counterculture rock concert at the Altamont Speedway in northern California hosted by The Rolling Stones. Around 300,000 attended the concert and many expected it to be a "Woodstock West", yet 4 people did end up dying.
