-
Space Race
A competition in the exploration of space between the US and Soviet Union. The Space Race started as the Russians developed rocket technology and launched Sputnik (first artificial satellite to orbit Earth). -
Peace Corps
President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order establishing the Peace Corps. Kennedy floated the idea that a new “army” should be created by the US. This force would be made up of civilians who would volunteer their time and skills to travel to underdeveloped nations to assist them in any way they could. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
1400 Cuban exiles launched what became a botched invasion at the Bay of Pigs on the South Coast of Cuba. In 1959, Fidel Castro came to power in an armed revolt that overthrew Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista.The action exposed an American plot to overthrow a neighbor's government, and the outcome made the US look weak and disorganized. -
Berlin Wall
Soviet Premier, Khrushchev, wanted to stop the flood of Germans pouring out of the Communist East Germany into West Berlin. He built a wall through Berlin, blocking movement between the Soviet sector and the rest of the city. -
Containing Communism
When JFK entered the White House, he had to devote a lot of time to foreign policy. The Cold War with the Soviets dominated over all other concerns at the time. Kennedy attempted to stop the spread of communism with a range of programs. These programs included a conventional weaponry program to give the nation's military more flexibility, a program to provide economic aid to Latin America, and the creation of the Peace Corps to help developing nations worldwide. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
A direct and dangerous confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. This was the moment when these two superpowers came closest to nuclear conflict. Kennedy announced that the Soviets had placed long-range missiles along the coast of Cuba, this posed a dangerous threat to the US. Kennedy ordered a naval blockade to stop further missile deliveries. If attacked, the US would fully respond against the Soviets. -
Equal Pay Act
Kennedy created the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, which called for federal action against gender discrimination and affirmed the right of women to equally paid employment. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963. -
JFK Assassination
The Kennedy's car turned off Main Street at Dealey Plaza around noon and as it was passing the Texas School Book Depository, gunfire rang through the plaza. Bullets struck the president's neck and head and he slumped over toward Mrs. Kennedy. The governor was also hit. Their car sped off to the hospital, but little could be done. The President was pronounced dead. Lee Harvey Oswald was responsible for the assassination. -
Lyndon B. Johnson Pesident
Hours after President Kennedy had been assassinated, Lyndon B. Johnson stood in the cabin of Air Force One, the president's plane, with his wife on one side and Kennedy's widow on the other. He raised his right hand, placed his left on the Bible, and took oath of office. -
Election of 1964
The Republican candidate in the 1964 election was Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona. He was well-known for his strong conservatism and set the tone for his campaign. On Election Day, Johnson won by a land-slide. -
A War on Poverty
Johnson believed deeply in social action. He had known what it was like to live in poor conditions. He knew of this plan purposed from Kennedy, before his death, to do something about the poverty issue. Johnson convinced Congress to pass the Economic Opportunity Act. The act established 10 new programs within the OEO (Office of Economic Opportunity). Many of these programs were directed to young Americans. -
VISTA
(Volunteers in Service to America), or a domestic Peace Corps. This organization put young people to work with skills and community-minded ideals to work in poor neighborhoods and rural areas to help people overcome poverty. -
The Great Society
After the election, Johnson began working with Congress to create the "Great Society". Major goals of the civil rights movement were achieved through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (barred discrimination of many) and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (protected voters from discrimination). -
Medicare & Medicaid
Health care reform had always been a major issue. By the 1960's, public support for better health care benefits increased. Medicare had strong support since it was directed towards senior citizens. In 1965, half of all Americans over the age of 65 had no health insurance. -
Child Nutrition Act
Congress passed the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, which made it possible to close the nutrition gap among children in school. Less children would be hungry at school and more focused. Lyndon B. Johnson signed this act on October 11, 1966.