-
Birth
Jim was born on September 18, 1945. -
First day of school
Jim had his first day of school on September 3, 1949. He walked to school, since it was right down the road. -
Brown v. Board of Education Decision
On May 17, 1954, the Brown v. Board of Education decision overturned all the school segregation laws in the country. The Supreme Court ruled that that school segregation was inherently unequal. -
First Job
Jim got his first job on June 1, 1957. Hw worked at a grocery store near his house. -
First day of High School
Jim had his first day of High School on September 3, 1958. -
Getting his drivers license
Jim got his drivers license on Spetember 8, 1960. -
Berlin Wall is Built
On August 13, 1961, the Berlin Wall was built. Just past midnight on this day, East German soldiers headed to the border of West and East Berlin. The workers then quickly constructed a wall made out of concrete posts and barbed wire. This wall separated East and West Berlin for nearly 3 decades. -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
On October 14, 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis happened. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13 day confrontation between the U.S. on one side and the Soviet Union and Cuba on the other. This moment is known as the moment in which the Cold War came closest to becoming a nuclear war. -
John F. Kennedy Assassinated
On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. Kennedy was riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was shot once in the head, and also once in the throat. -
Gradated college
Jim graduated college at Marquette University on June 14, 1967. -
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assassinated
On April 4, 1968, at 6:01pm, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was hit by a sniper’s bullet. King was shot while standing on the balcony in front of his Motel room. The bullet shot King in his right cheek, and it traveled through his neck, then into his shoulder blade. Violence and controversy followed his assassination, which included riots everywhere. A man named James Earl Ray was blamed for King’s assassination, but to this day, some still think he was innocent. -
First Man On The Moon
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. This accomplishment placed the U.S, ahead of the Soviets in the Space Race, and also gave people around the world hope for future space exploration. While walking on the moon, Neil Armstrong said a now famous quote, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. -
Got Married
Jim got married to Hempel on June 6, 1970. -
First child born
Jim's first child was born on July 28, 1971. Her name was Susan Hempel. -
President Richard Nixon Resigns
On August 9, 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned from presidency. Richard Nixon was the only president who has ever resigned from presidency, and he did this because he would face sure impeachment. -
Second child born
Jim's second child was born on March 14, 1976. Her name was Sharon Hempel. -
Assassination Attempt Made On Ronald Reagan
On March 30, 1981, an assassination attempt was made against president Ronald Reagan. A 25 year old man named John Hinckley Jr. opened fire on Reagan just outside the Washington Hill Hotel. Ronald Reagan had just finished giving a speech to a group of trade unionists. Reagan was shot just under his left arm, but survived. -
Berlin Wall Falls
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall had fallen. East German government official Gunter Schabowski had opened the borders, and people could then pass onto the other side of the wall. Very quickly, the wall was starting to get torn down with hammers and chisels. People were hugging kissing and crying at this event. -
Soviet Union Formally Ceases To Exist
On December 26, 1991, the Soviet Union formally ceased to exist. The previous day, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev had resigned. He had also handed over the Soviet nuclear missile launching codes to Russian President Boris Yeltsin. That same evening, the Soviet flag was lowered and replaced with the Russian tricolor. -
First Grandchild Born
Jim's first grandchild was born on September 9, 1999. His name was Joey Picione! -
Second Grandchild Born
Jim's second grandchild was born on October 9, 2007. Her name was Juliana Picione. -
Retiring
Jim retired from his job on December 31, 2010.
