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Joseph McCarthy Rises to Power
On this day, Joseph McCarthy claimed he had a list of communist party members that held a position in the U.S. government. His wild claim in an attempt to gain power led to the paranoia that is now called "The Red Scare". https://study.com/academy/lesson/mccarthyism-and-the-red-scare-definition-causes-effects.html -
The Korean War
Lasting from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, the Korean War was fought between North and South Korea over the conflicting ideas of government. The North was backed by Soviet power, the South, American power. In the end, both halves of Korea permanently separated, and the U.S.'s policy of containment failed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1wFrXKanC0 -
Brown v. The Board of Education
It was a court case that overturned Plessy v. Ferguson in the context of schools. The court unanimously decided that segregation in schools was unconstitutional, but it did not put a system or time limit in place for desegregation to start to occur. https://youtu.be/B-Pe3BTa1O8 -
The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a 25 year long conflict between South Vietnam and the communist North. Afraid of the spread of communism, America gave support to the south, and eventually sent in troops. No matter how many troops the U.S. sent in, they were losing the war, and it ended in communist victory. https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history/videos/the-road-to-war -
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
Inspired by the the hardship of Rosa Parks when she refused to give up her seat to a white man, this protest was conducted by African Americans who wanted bus companies to allow them to sit wherever they wanted to sit. Finally, in 1956 a federal court in Montgomery ruled bus segregation unconstitutional. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/montgomery-bus-boycott/videos/montgomery-bus-boycott?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false -
NASA Was Formed
NASA was formed because of the Soviet Union's attempts to reach space (Sputnik I and Sputnik II). As a result of NASA's hard work and much trial and error, Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon on July 20, 1969. -
The Bay of Pigs Invasion
Following the takeover of the Cuban Government by Fidel Castro, U.S. troops attempted to invade Cuba. The U.S. government saw Castro as a threat because he did not support America's extensive control over their factories, and he supported communist ideology. The U.S.'s attempt to invade was a complete failure, and President Kennedy was forced to let Cuba be. https://youtu.be/TJvcloSGsyI -
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was an intense standoff between the U.S and the USSR. The Soviets provided Cuba with nuclear missiles, threatening President Kennedy, who in turn threatened to use force to neutralize the previous threat. To resolve the issue, Kennedy agreed to not bother Cuba again and remove their missiles from turkey and Italy as long as Khrushchev removed the missiles and withdrew from Cuba. https://youtu.be/bwWW3sbk4EU -
JFK's Assassination
President Kennedy was shot and killed while he was on a motorcade. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for his assassination, and there weren't any doubts in the public's mind because of support of Fidel Castro and Marxist ideologies. Lyndon B. Johnson took his place as President after JFK's death. -
The Voting Rights Act Was Passed
It was the first act passed in an attempt to guarantee the right for African Americans to vote. While it didn't prevent whites from actively preventing hem from voting, it was the first step towards ensuring their rights to vote. -
The Kent State Shooting
Protests against the Vietnam War were becoming increasingly common in the new generation as the war started to seem pointless. What started as a peaceful protest devoted into a violent on on the evening of May 1st. In an attempt to prevent another violent outburst, the Ohio National Guard was called in to occupy the Kent State campus. By the time the crowds were dispersed, four students were killed, and nine others were injured. https://www.history.com/topics/kent-state-shooting -
The Watergate Scandal
The Watergate Scandal started with a break-in of the Watergate Complex, the headquarters of the Democratic National Convention. A federal investigation led to the discovery that President Nixon had recorded numerous conversations in his offices. To avoid impeachment, Nixon resigned soon after.
