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FDA Approves the Birth Control Pill
The birth control pill started a sexual revolution that swept the nation. Women were free to purchase higher educations and careers about the birth control pill while both genders were experimenting with sex and drugs. This tested social ways of life and the limits we have in the American democracy. But this period of peace and love was only temporary -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Tensions high in the midst of the cold war, the US learned of Soviet missiles in Cuba. President Ken. ordered a blockade of Caribbean nation. For 13 days, nuclear warfare seemed all too possible and Americans lived in fear. Fortunately an agreement was given for each country to deactivate some of its missiles and the Cold wars most dangerous crisis was averted -
JFK's Assassination
President Ken. seemed like the perfect President to lead america through the 60s. Americas hopes were shattered when he was shot down by a snipers bullet in 63'. From Dallas, the officials had pronounced that President Ken. had died at 1pm. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested fro the crime and was murdered before he even went to his trial which led to endless conspiracies over the following decades. His death shook the country and signaled the coming of instability -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
Throughout the late 50s and early 60s, the Civil Rights movements grew through nonviolent protests and civil disobedience with events like the march on Washington taking center stage long denied their equal rights. African Americans were finally rewarded through the Civil Rights Act of 1964, taking away segregation and biased voting requirements. The Act set off a landslide of change that slowly produced equality for the younger people -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
As social changed occupied the Americans, war raged in Vietnam. The communist North had South Vietnam on the ropes and america had little desire to see communism spread. In 1964, a US destroyer was engaged in battle by North Vietnamese naval units. In a deliberate and unprovoked action, 3 North Vietnam PT boats unleashed a torpedo attack against them. The Gulf of Tonkins Resolution soon passed allowing Americans to fight in the war -
Assassinations of Civil Rights Leaders
Malcolm X and MLK Jr had little in common. King was a steadfast devotee of peaceful integration. Malcolm was a fiery supporter of black supremacy but each man was murdered coldly right before they took off in their popularity. MLK was an apostle of nonviolence in the civil rights movement and was shot to death on April 11, 1968 in Memphis. Losing such established leaders left the civil rights movement in dire straits, led by not so organized groups. It took years to regain the importance -
The Tet Offensive
During a holiday ceasefire Viet Cong soldiers shockingly attacked the south Vietnamese capitol Saigon, though the invasion was fought off, the harsh truth was obvious. This was no simple war troop morale fell and Americans became disgusted with the war. President didn't want to run for re-election and the future seemed uncertain -
1968 Democratic National Convention
Tensions came to a high in the summer of 68' at the Democratic Nat'l Convention. Anti-war protesters rushed to Chicago only to be greeted by the clubs and mace of aggressive police officers. New stations were quick to capture the footage, transmitting it across the evening news. Young Liberals and the counter culture were disgusted, while the older generation found the violence justified, a generation Gulf remained. Jerry Rubin, a anti war leader himself -
Apollo 11 Lands on the Moon
The US engaged in a frantic space race with the Soviet Union. In 61', President Ken. boldly declared that america would put a man on the moon before the decade ended. America delivered by sending Apollo 11 in July 1969, taking a decisive lead in the space race. The footage of the landing became legendary and the countries future looked brighter -
Woodstock
Neglected by a majority that didn't understand them, the counter culture took comfort for 3 days in the fields of upstate New York. In 1969 Woodstock festival combined the liberal ideals of communal living, free love and open drug use with the innovation rock and soul music of the time for one weekend. This sect lived happily in peace, free from government interference or ridicule. Singers like Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cooker were a couple of the singers to represent that era.
