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Vietnam War
This was a long, costly, and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. Many young men even immigrated out of the U.S. to avoid the war. Weapons such as the deadly napalm and herbicide Agent Orange were used. The U.S. pulled back in 1973, and Communist North Vietnam seized South Vietnam in 1975, and the country was unified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Political & Environmental Event -
The Vietnam War
This was a long, costly, and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. Many young men even immigrated out of the U.S. to avoid the war. Weapons such as the deadly napalm and herbicide Agent Orange were used. The U.S. pulled back in 1973, and Communist North Vietnam seized South Vietnam in 1975, and the country was unified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Political & Environmental Event -
Chicano Movement Begins
Also called the Chicano civil rights movement or El Movimiento, it was a civil rights movement extending the Mexican-American civil rights movement of the 1960s with the stated goal of achieving Mexican American empowerment. Social Event -
Tamal Records acquires the name "Motown" in April 1960
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Muhammad Ali (formerly Cassius Clay) wins gold medal for Light Heavyweight Boxing in 1960 Summer Olympics
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The Hippie Movement Begins
It was a countercultural movement that rejected the mores of mainstream American life. The movement originated on college campuses in the United States, although it spread to other countries, including Canada and Britain. They believe in slogans such as "Make love, not war" especially since Hippies didn't believe in America fighting in the Vietnam War. They also like psychedelic rock a diverse style of rock music, centered on perception-altering hallucinogenic drugs. Social Event -
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1960's Historical Event Timeline
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Hippie Movement
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U-2 Spy Plane Incident
The USSR shot down an American U-2 spy plane in Soviet air and captured pilot Francis Gary Powers. This led to President Dwight Eisenhower admitting that the CIA had been flying spy missions over the USSR for years. Powers was convicted of espionage and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. -
The First Birth Control Pill is Passed
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the world’s first commercially produced birth-control pill–Enovid-10, made by the G.D. Searle Company of Chicago, Illinois. Social & Environmental -
The "New Frontier" is Announced
A goal stated by President John F. Kennedy in his acceptance speech to provide both domestic reform focused on society and the economy. Political, Economic & Social Event -
Camelot Is First Performed
This was a Musical by Alan Jay Lerner (book and lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music). It is based on the King Arthur legend as adapted from T. H. White's 1958 novel The Once and Future King. -
The Election of 1960
This was the 44th quadrennial presidential election. Democrat United States Senator John F. Kennedy defeated incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon, the Republican Party nominee, barely by only 118,000 more votes. Political Event -
Alliance for Progess is Passed
A proposal by President John F. Kennedy proposes a 10-year, multibillion-dollar aid program for Latin America. It was designed to improve U.S. relations with Latin America, which had been severely damaged in recent years at the time. Political & Economic Event -
The Berlin Wall is Built
The Communist government of East Germany built a wall separating East and West Berlin. The wall was built to keep the country's people in. But the Soviets and East German government said it was to keep capitalism out. The replaced the barb-wire fence with concrete in two days. Political & Social Event -
Peace Crops is Created
President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Peace Corps Act, making good on a promise to seek Americans “from every race and walk of life” to volunteer their services to developing countries. -
The United Farm Workers (UFW) is Formed
A labor union group that seeks to empower immigrant farmworkers and improve their wages and working conditions, while also working to promote nonviolence and to educate members on political and social issues. It was founded by civil rights activist Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. Political & Social Event -
John F. Kennedy Assassinated
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas. Bullets struck the president's neck and head and he slumped over toward Mrs. Kennedy. Viewers across America watching the live television coverage suddenly saw a man aim a pistol and fire at point-blank range. The assailant was identified as Jack Ruby, a local nightclub owner. Oswald died two hours later at Parkland Hospital. Political & Social Event -
Great Society Is Introduced
This was an ambitious series of policy initiatives, legislation, and programs spearheaded by 36th U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson with the main goals of ending the war on poverty, reducing crime, abolishing inequality, and improving the environment. With his eye on re-election that year, Johnson set in motion his Great Society, the largest social reform plan in modern history. Social & Political Event -
Counterculture is Created
This is a culture characterized by young people breaking away from the traditional culture of the 1950s. Social Event -
Job Corps Is Created
The Job Corps was created during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 as part of Johnson's War on Poverty and Great Society initiatives that sought to expand economic and social opportunities for Americans, especially minorities and the poor. Social & Economic Event -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Is Passed
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was an authorization by the US Congress to allow President LBJ to “take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression” by the communist government of North Vietnam. Political Event -
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Operation Rolling Thunder
The codename for an American bombing campaign during the Vietnam War. It first started in March 1965 when U.S. military aircraft attacked targets throughout North Vietnam. Operation Rolling Thunder marked the first sustained American assault on North Vietnamese territory and represented a major expansion of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Political Event -
Medicare & Medicaid is Signed Into Law
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the bill that led to Medicare and Medicaid. The original Medicare program included Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). Political, Social & Economic Event -
Andy Warhol Creates the "Big Electric Chair" Painting
The Stockholm Big Electric Chair is part of a series of works by American Pop artist Andy Warhol. Warhol obtained a photograph of the empty execution chamber, which became the basis for this series. Social Event -
The 25th Amendment Is Ratified
This amendment addresses what happens to the presidency and vice-presidency if the president and/or vice president dies, resigns or becomes incapacitated or disabled. -
Operation Rolling Thunder Ends
The codename for an American bombing campaign during the Vietnam War. It first started in March 1965 when U.S. military aircraft attacked targets throughout North Vietnam. Operation Rolling Thunder marked the first sustained American assault on North Vietnamese territory and represented a major expansion of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. -
American Indian Movement (AIM) Is Founded
AIM is a Native American grassroots movement that was founded in July 1968 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A.I.M. was initially formed in urban areas to address systemic issues of poverty and police brutality against Native Americans. Political & Social Event -
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Tet Offensive
A coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam that started on January 30, 1968, with hopes of getting the U.S. to lessen involvement in the war. North Vietnam achieved a strategic victory with the Tet Offensive, as the attacks marked a turning point in the Vietnam War and the beginning of the slow, painful American withdrawal from the region from these attacks and the "Doves vs. Hawks" conflict happening in the United States Political -
Robert Kennedy Asassinated
The brother of John F. Kennedy suffered the same the ending as his brother in Los Angeles, California. He was an advocate for issues related to human rights and social justice and formed relationships with Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez. Kennedy became a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency by appealing to poor, African American, Hispanic, Catholic, and young voters. Political & Social Event -
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1968 Democratic Convention
The convention was held in the International Amphitheatre in Chicago Illinois. Protestors swarmed the streets to rally against the Vietnam War and the political status quo. By the time Vice President Herbert Humphrey received the presidential nomination, the strife within the Democratic Party was laid bare and the streets of Chicago had seen riots and bloodshed involving protesters, police and bystanders alike radically changing America’s political and social landscape. Political & Social Event -
The 1968 Democratic Convention Ends
The convention was held in the International Amphitheatre in Chicago Illinois. Protestors swarmed the streets to rally against the Vietnam War and the political status quo. By the time Vice President Herbert Humphrey received the presidential nomination, the strife within the Democratic Party was laid bare and the streets of Chicago had seen riots and bloodshed involving protesters, police and bystanders alike radically changing America’s political and social landscape. Political & Social Event -
The Tet Offensive Ends
A coordinated series of North Vietnamese attacks on more than 100 cities and outposts in South Vietnam that started on January 30, 1968, with hopes of getting the U.S. to lessen involvement in the war. North Vietnam achieved a strategic victory with the Tet Offensive, as the attacks marked a turning point in the Vietnam War and the beginning of the slow, painful American withdrawal from the region from these attacks and the "Doves vs. Hawks" conflict happening in the United States Political -
1968 Presidential Election
In the 46th quadrennial presidential election, the Republican nominee/vice president Richard Nixon defeated Democrat candidate Hubert Humphrey. This also happened while the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy were fresh in Americans’ minds. Political Event -
The First Men Land on the Moon
The United States' Apollo 11 was the first crewed mission to land on the Moon. The team consisted of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. Social Event -
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Woodstock Music Festival
It was a music festival held August 15–17, 1969, on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, New York, 40 miles southwest of Woodstock. It was conceived as “Three Days of Peace and Music.” Social Event
