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Russians send the first man into space
Yuri Gagarin was the first man to ever go into space and he was from the Soviet Union. This accomplishment put more pressure on the US and accelerated the space race. -
SNCC formed
SNCC stands for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. This organization formed sit-in protest movements. -
First televised Presidential debate
This was the first-ever televised debate for presidential candidates and there were 67 million views. -
First airing of “The Flintstones”
"The Flintstones" was the first animated series aired on television. This was important as the show is directed towards adults but the main characters are cartoons. -
President Kennedy is elected
American President Kennedy was elected as a Democrat party candidate. He was focused on the Soviet Union and Cuba. Lyndon B. Johnson was Vice President. -
Berlin Wall is constructed
The Berlin Wall was a wall that separated West Berlin built by the German democratic Republic during the Cold War. This was done to restrict the citizens within the West Berlin from having an influence on the East. -
Roger Maris of the Yankees breaks Babe Ruth’s single season home run record
Roger Maris breaks Babe Ruth's record with 61 Home Runs. -
SDS releases its Port Huron statement
This statement condemns middle-class materialism, racism, conformity, and anticommunism. This was created to implement participatory democracy in college. -
Marilyn Monroe dies
Marilyn Monroe dies at the young age of 36 due to an overdose on barbiturates. Her death was international because of how famous she was with supporting women empowerment, femininity, and individuality. -
James Meredith registers at Ole Miss
James Meredith was the first African American to enroll as a student at the University of Mississippi. -
“Dr. No” the first James Bond movie premiers
This movie premiered at the London Pavilion cinema and many American citizens went to watch it. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
This was a dangerous moment during the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union almost causing a nuclear conflict. The Soviet Union attacked the US with missiles that were planted in Cuba. -
Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” Speech
This speech was so important during the Civil Right Movement as it spoke for all the colored people and the dream they have for equality. -
John F Kennedy is assassinated
The President was shot twice from an open window when he was at the Texas School Book Depository. The accused killer was Lee Harvey. -
The Beatles arrive in the United States
The Beatles were a group of youth band members who created pop music. The Beatles became very successful and made an impact on popular culture. -
The Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan
This was a big stepping stone in American pop culture. There were millions of viewers who watched the Beatles perform. -
New York World’s Fair begins
This fair was so important because it was a pinnacle of American culture and technology. At the fair, Americans showed products that would benefit and advance technology. -
Lyndon B Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater
Johnson was a Democratic candidate and defeated the Republican Barry Goldwater. -
Malcolm X assassinated
Malcolm X was a Radical African American Civil Rights Activist. He was shot and killed in Manhattan, New York City. -
Watts race riots
These riots happened after the arrest of an African American man, Marquette Frye. This act showed how police perpetrated African Americans and were racially motivated. -
“Star Trek” TV show airs
This series was based on the future and gave optimistic views of what will happen. -
San Francisco “Summer of Love” begins
Thousands of people gathered at this Human Be-In as it became an epicenter. Those who went to this attraction embraced love, music, drugs and social activism. -
First NFL Football Super Bowl
The game was played between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game took place in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Stadium. -
Boxer Muhammed Ali refuses military service
Ali wanted to be in the US Armed Forces but refused to go because of his religion. Due to the refusal he went to prison and had to pay a huge fine. -
Beatles release Sgt. Pepper’s album
The Sgt. Pepper’s album was the eighth album that the band released. This music focused on counterculture ideals (drugs, self-exploration, etc). -
Thurgood Marshall nominated to the Supreme Court
Marshall was the first African American who was nominated to the American Supreme Court. This was a big step in civil rights and racism. -
Protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention
These protests were against Americans being involved in the Vietnam War because many American's thought that they should stay out of this foreign conflict. -
Tet Offensive
The Tet Offensive was a series of North Vietnamese offensive attacks on South Vietnam. During this time the US was an allied force with South Vietnam. -
Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr. a civil rights activist was shot and killed on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. -
Robert Kennedy is assassinated
Robert Kennedy was shot and killed at the Ambassador Hotel by killer Sirhan Sirhan. -
LSD declared illegal by the U.S. government
LSD was made illegal because of its high potential for abuse. -
Richard Nixon is elected
Richard Nixon was the Republican nominee who was elected as the 37th President of the United States. He caused a lot of fear and loss of trust with the American citizens due to the Watergate scandal. -
Stonewall riots
The Stonewall Inn was raided by police officers, resulting in a huge riot of almost 400 people. The riot was a result of the police harassment against the sexual minority in America. -
American Astronauts Land on the Moon
Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin were the first Astronauts to Land on the Moon after they landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle. -
The Rolling Stones host the Altamont music festival
The Altamont concert marked the hippie era in the American youth culture.