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Fertility Rate Reaches New High in US
The end of World War 2 brought about a new high for fertility rate seen in the United States. Many regard the time between 1946-1964 as a baby boom and anyone born in this time is considered a "baby boomer" -
Fidel Castro Seizes Power in Cuba
Originally backed by the United States after being appointed ruler of Cuba that soon changed with the United States withdrawing its support after Castro launched a program of agrarian reform, nationalized US assets on the island, and declared a Marxist government. This led to many of the wealthiest citizens to flee to the United States, where they joined the CIA in an affort to overthrow Castro's regime. -
Bay of PIgs Invasion
Bay of Pigs Invasion was a failed military invasion of Cuba that was sponsored by the CIA. It was intended to overthrow the increasingly communist governemnt of Fidel Castro. The invasion was overthrown within 3 days by the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, under the direct command of Prime Minsiter Fidel Castro. -
Berlin Wall Built
Two days after sealing off free passage between East and West Berlin with barbed wire, East German authorities began constructing a wall - The Berlin Wall- to permanently close off access to the West. For the next 28 years, this wall would serve as a literal Iron Curtain dividing Europe. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
During the Cuban Missile Crisis the US and Soviet Union engaged in a tense, 13 day political and military standoff in October 1962 over the installation of nuclear-armed Soviet missiles on Cuba. President John Kennedy informs Americans in a TV address that the US was prepared to use military force if necessary to neutralize this perceived threat to national security. Nuclear war was avoided by Soviets removal of missiles and US promise to not invade Cuba. -
President Kennedy Assasinated
On November 22nd, 1963 while riding through downtown Dallas the President of the United States of America is assasinated. Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired 3 shots from the sixth floor of a building in the area. He later killed a police office when he was approached. While being transported to police headquarter he was killed by Jack Ruby who said the rage of Kennedy's assanination made him do it. -
Malcolm X Assasinated
Malcolm X - an African American nationalist and religious leader is assasinated by rival Black Muslims while giving a speech in New York City. Malcolm X- was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, NE. -
Martin Luther King Jr Assasinated
A powerful and widely known US civil rights leaders Martin Luther King was assasinated in Memphis Tennessee. Martin Luther King opted to use strong words and non-violent tactics to fight segregation. King was assasinated while standing on a balcony, being shot by a sniper. -
Robert Kennedy Assasinated
Robert "Bobby" Kennedy was the younger brother of assasinated President John F. Kennedy. He was assasinated while running for US President in 1968. He was killed while walking through the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel by a 24-year old Palestinian/Jordanian immigrant who is now serving a life sentence. -
Peak of Vietnam War
With over 535,000 US Troops waging war in Vietnam, by 1969 the Vietnam War was at its peak. This year was also the most expensive spending $77.4 billion ($526 billion in 2016) and the most deadly with 16,952 American Soldiers Killed. -
Roe Vs. Wade
In Roe Vs. Wade the Supreme Court made a landmark decision on whether or not abortion would continue to be legal. The court ruled 7-2 that it was a woman's right to have an abortion if she chose to. To this day this court decision is often argued and is a major contention of Presidential races. -
Nixon Resigns over Watergate
After two years of bitter public debate over Watergate scandals, President Nixon bowed to the pressures from the public and leaders of his political party to become the first President to ever resign. Vice President Gerald Ford took office and served out the remainder of Nixon's term.
