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Ku Klux Klan
KKK, an organization that became a vehicle for southern white resistance aimed at establishing political and economic equality for blacks. Forrest is related to General Nathan Bedford Forrest who was the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. This relates to Key Concept 8.2 as it exemplifies continued resistance to desegregation.
(https://www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan) -
Elvis Presley
"King of Rock and Roll", considered one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. Forrest meet Elvis while he stayed as a visitor in their Bed n Breakfast -
Counterculture
Counterculture was a popular movement in the 1960's that challenged the concept of conformity which defined the 1950's. The use of psychedelics was commonplace. Jenny joins the movement while Forrest goes to Vietnam. This relates to Key Concept 8.2, Liberalism influencing postwar politics.
(https://thevietnamwar.info/counterculture/) -
Stand in the Schoolhouse Door
Despite federal desegregation of schools, Alabama Governor George Wallace sends the National Guard to block two African American students from entering the University of Alabama. Forrest witnesses the blockade while walking around campus. This relates to Key Concept 8.2, continuing resistance slowed efforts of desegregation, sparking social and political unrest across the nation.
(https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/university-of-alabama-desegregated) -
JFK Assassination
Forrest meets JFK when the All-American football players are invited to the White House. Although Kennedy's approach to civil rights was seen as noncommittal by many, he was very vocal on the injustice of the issue. For this exact reason he was shot and killed on November 22, 1963. This relates to Key Concept 8.2, as there was continued resistance and violent responses to the African American Civil Rights Movement.
(https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-f-kennedy-assassinated) -
Black Panther Party
An organization founded in 1966. They sought equality for African Americans in education, housing, employment and civil rights. Forrest fights Wesley at the BP meeting in Washington D.C. This relates to Key Concept 8.2, individuals seeking to fulfill Reconstruction-era promises through a variety of strategies.
(https://www.history.com/topics/black-panthers) -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War lasted from 1955-1975. This is 1 of the 2 proxy wars fought during the Cold War. Forrest fought in the Vietnam War under Lieutenant Dan Taylor's platoon. This related to Key Concept 8.1, the war was a form of anticommunist foreign policy used to contain the spread Communism.
(https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history) -
Moon Landing
The Moon Landing was achieved through advancements in the STEM industry encouraged by Lyndon B. Johnson's plan to strengthen the education system. The Moon Landing played in the background while Forrest played ping pong. -
Ping Pong Diplomacy
Refers to the exchange of table tennis players between the United States and People's Republic of China in the 1970's. This event marked a "thaw" in the Cold War. Forrest was apart of the All-American Ping Pong team and traveled with them to China. This relates to Key Concept 8.1, as the United States implements strategic foreign policy to support the broader policy of containing the spread of Communism.
(https://www.history.com/news/ping-pong-diplomacy) -
Watergate
A political scandal that defined American politics in the 1970's. This scandal was a turning point for many Americans in regards to trusting the government. Forrest witnesses the robbery from the hotel across the street. This relates to Key Concept 8.2, government's ability was weakened in the wake of political scandals and policy crises.
(https://www.history.com/topics/watergate) -
Hurricane Carmen
Most intense tropical cyclone of it's season. Killed 8 people and caused over 162 million dollars of damage (not adjusted to today's inflation). This storm destroyed all the boats in the Bayou La Batre except Forrest's allowing him to prosper and eliminate all competition. -
AIDS Epedemic
HIV rapidly spread across the United States in the 1980's-1990's. The spread of the virus was traced back to unprotected sex, the sharing of drug needles and birth. All three were common practice during the Counterculture movement. Jenny contacted HIV which turned to AIDS and she eventually died on March 22, 1982.
