-
Hippie Movement - Key Concept 8.1 II B
Made up of many younger Americans were forming anti-war groups to protest the Vietnam War. Started in the 1960's. Came up with the slogan "Make love, not war". Many used psychedelic drugs to connect and "find themselves"
In the movie you can see Jenny joined this group and went around the country playing music and trying out drugs such as LSD and marijuana. -
Elvis Presley Rise to Fame - Key Concept 8.2 II A
In 1955 Presley began to develop a following with fans being drawn to his unusual musical style, provocative gyrating hips and good looks. He received his draft notice in 1957, and was inducted into the Army the following March. After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career and was soon back at the top of the charts with the soundtrack for his film GI Blues.
In the movie Elvis is seen hanging with Forest in his room while Forest dances.
www.biography.com/people/elvis-presley-9446466 -
Stand at the Schoolhouse Door (George Wallace) - Key Concept 8.2 I C
On June 11, 1963, George Wallace in an attempt to keep segregation alive in the south stood at the entrance of the University of Alabama and prevented two black students from entering. President Kennedy issued Executive Order 11111, which had already been prepared, authorizing the federalization of the Alabama National Guard. After being confronted by the Attorney General, Wallace stepped aside.
In the movie Gump is seen at the back of the mob that had formed around the incident. -
Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy preparing for the his reelection campaign. He was in Texas to rally supporters and to put a spotlight on natural resources and conservation efforts. He was shot and killed by Harvey Lee Oswald on November 22nd 1963. Leading to LBJ (Lyndon B Johnson) being sworn into office. Forest Gump says in the movie that he does not no why somebody shot him as him seemed to be a nice guy. https://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/November-22-1963-Death-of-the-President.aspx -
Escalation of the Vietnam War (Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and Rolling Thunder) - Key Concept 8.1 B
After gunboats off the Coast of Vietnam allegedly fired on on US navy. President Johnson called for action from congress and they unanimously passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which expanded the Presidential War powers. This lead to Operation Rolling Thunder an extensive bombing campaign against North Korea.
In the movie this would lead Forest Gump getting drafted and entering the war after more troops were needed for the cause. -
Robert Kennedy Assassination
Robert Kennedy was fatally shot after winning the California Presidential Primary. Kennedy left the podium in the Ambassador Hotel and was exiting through the hotel kitchen when he was mortally wounded by Sirhan Sirhan who fired multiple shots with a handgun. This marked another influential political figure to be shot and killed.
In the movie shortly after the mention of JFK's death Forest mentions that someone shot him.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bobby-kennedy-is-assassinated -
Moon Landing - Key Concept 8.1 I B
In July 1969 nearing the end of the decade in which JFK had promised an American on the moon, Apollo 11 crew, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Micheal Collins were on a mission to land on the moon. On July 20th Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made their famous walk on the moon. Marking the first time in history for a man to walk on the moon.
In the movie you can see the moon landing in the background as Forest plays ping pong.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html -
Ping Pong Diplomacy - Key Concept 8.1 I C
Ping Pong Diplomacy refers to the exchange of American and Chinese ping pong athletes that would later pave the way to Nixon's visit to Beijing. The Chinese felt that by opening a door to the United States, they could put their mostly hostile neighbors on notice about a possible shift in alliances. The U.S. welcomed the opportunity. In the movie you can see Forest sent to China to play ping pong in hope to lower tensions https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ping-pong-diplomacy-60307544 -
Attempted Assignation of George Wallace
Alabama Gov. George Wallace, the front-runner in the next day’s Maryland Democratic presidential primary, had been shot four times at close range at a campaign rally in Laurel and was being transported to Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring.
In the Movie a clip is played showing him getting shot.
This also is a big event since it was the fifth shooting of a prominent political figure in 10 years.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/governor-george-wallace-shot -
Watergate Scandal - Key Concept 8.3 III E
On June 17 members of Nixon's Reelection Committee had sabotaged multiple doors and had broken into the office of the Democratic National Committee and were trying to steal information on the upcoming presidential election. However a security guard was able to notice the burglars and contact authorities. The scandal was eventually traced back to Nixon and later caused him to resign.
In the movie Forest Gump sees the burglars in the hotel and calls authorities. www.history.com/topics/watergate -
HIV/AIDS Epidemic - Key Concept 9.1 I A
Starting in as early as the 1960's but really stared to pick up in the late 70's and early 80's. Groups of People were dying to this new and dangerous disease. With no cure in sight, funding was poured into aids research. Thousands were affected and many poor minority areas were not able to afford medical help.
This is not directly mentioned in the movie, but when Jenny is "sick" and dies it is due to HIV/AIDS
http://www.factlv.org/timeline.htm -
Attempted Assignation of Ronald Regan
On March 30, 1981, President Ronald Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley Jr. in Washington, D.C
Reagan was shot and wounded, but was not killed. John Hickley had no political motivation to kill Reagan.
In the movie a clip of the attempt is shown.
https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0330.html
