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Forrest Gump Timeline
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Vietnam War
The Vietnam War started on November 1st, 1955. Forrest Gump was sent to Vietnam in 1966 after finishing college. He was given a pamphlet with Uncle Sam's picture and asked if he had ever considered the military. He then survives the war while saving his Lieutenant Dan -
Elvis Presley
Forrest Gump saw Elvis Presley performing on TV while doing the dance moves that Forrest showed him. When staying at Forrest's house, Elvis would play the guitar for him and Forrest would dance. Because of Forrest's legs, he did a certain type of dance that Elvis loved and continued to do when he was famous. -
President Kennedy
Kennedy was inaugurated on January 2th, 1961. Later during his presidency, in the movie, he met with the All-American collegiate football team, which Forrest was on. Forrest is then shown on TV with Kennedy. After this, Forrest says that Kennedy was later assassinated and he brother was killed as well. -
Integration of University of Alabama
Forrest was there when the Federal troops enforced a court order to integrate the University of Alabama. One of the girls, an African American, who was going to the school, dropped a book on her way in. Forrest grabs the book and hands it to her on live TV. -
Lyndon B. Johnson Speech
Lyndon B. Johnson gave his speech announcing that they would be escalating the war in Vietnam. This event was broadcast at the same time as when Forrest, along with others, received a medal of honor from the Vietnam War. -
Black Panthers
The Black Panthers, which started in October of 1966, disagreed with the war because most of the people getting drafted were African Americans. In the movie, Jenny introduces Forrest to this group of people, who then pat him down to make sure he doesn't have any weapons. While one of the members is giving Forrest a lecture on their morals, Jenny's boyfriend punches her, and Forrest starts a fight. After he hits Jenny's boyfriend, he then gets kicked out. -
Abbie Hoffman Protest
While Forrest is out for a walk while staying by the capitol, he accidentally joins a protest against the Vietnam war effort. He then gets put up in front of thousands of people by Abbie Hoffman, a protest leader, and is asked a question about the war. While he is responding, someone unplugs the microphone and they only get it plugged back in when he is finished speaking. -
Man Walking on Moon
While Forrest was playing ping pong for the Special Services, the TV was playing the live footage of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. Although this was one of the most influential moments in history, all of the wounded soldiers are focused on watching Forrest play ping pong. -
Watergate Scandal
When Forrest meets President Nixon for being on the national ping pong team, he gets his hotel upgraded to the Watergate Hotel. While staying there, he sees flashlights in front of his window with people searching around the room for something. Thinking it is just people playing a game in the dark, he witnesses and warns the police about the burglary. Then Nixon resigned. -
Hurricane Carmen
Hurricane Carmen was a category 4 hurricane that affected Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the Yucatán Peninsula. This started in the movie with Lieutenant Dan, who lost his legs, sitting on the top of the boat yelling at God in the rain. It then shows the aftermath of every single boat destroyed on the news except for Forrest and Dan's shrimping boat, which is perfectly fine. -
Reagan Shot in Chest
Forrest receives a letter from Jenny, who tells him where to find her. While he is opening the letter, the TV is playing the news, which shows Ronald Reagan being shot in the chest after speaking at the Washington Hilton.