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My Lai
Fig. 1: National Archives. "The only American injured in My Lai was Private First Class Carter, wounded by friendly fire. Also pictured are Private First Class Mauro and Specialist Fourth Class Widmer." PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/mylai-massacre-evidence/ -
My Lai
U.S. Army's Twenty-Third Infantry Division were sent to destroy the village of My Lai. Two platoons entered the village, shooting randomly, while a group of 70-80 unarmed people were brought into an irrigation ditch and shot. My Lai is significant because it exposed the dark side to human behavior, contributed to anti-war and public awareness, and raised questions about journalism's/media's role. -
Woodstock Festival Held
In Bethel, New York, nearly 40,000 people attended a music festival. They packed the roads throughout the whole state, with thousands sent home. This became the cultural touchstone of the generation. This is significant because it served as a stark symbol in the counterculture movement. It brought a shift in values and change. Fig 2: Goff, Mark. "Opening ceremony at Woodstock. Swami Satchidananda giving the opening speech." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock#/media/File:Swami_opening.jpg -
Kent State fires
Fig 3: Ruffner, Howard. "Ohio National Guardsmen assemble on the Kent State University campus near the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) building as it burns." AARP. https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-2020/kent-state-shooting.html -
National Guard fires on students at Kent State University
Violence erupted after a student demonstration as a protest of the invasion of Cambodia. The next day, the mayor asked Ohio's governor to send the National Guard. Students had set fire to the ROTC building and were fending off help to try to extinguish. This is significant because it exploited the divisions over the war, urging the anti-war movement. -
Nixon goes to China
Later known as "the China card", Nixon reversed 2 years of U.S. hostility by declaring he would travel to Beijing. He hoped to prompt the Soviet Union (Chinese rival) to compete for global influence and seek a productive relationship with the U.S.. This is significant because it began to thaw the hostility between the U.S. and China, which later shaped how Nixon fought the war. -
Nixon goes to China
Fig 4: Nixon White House Photographs. "President Nixon shaking hands with Chou EnLai standing at the foot of the Air Force One stair ramp, while Pat Nixon and Chinese officials stand nearby, February 21, 1972, symbolically ending 17 years of Sino-American tension." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_visit_by_Richard_Nixon_to_China#/media/File:President_Richard_Nixon_and_Premier_Chou_En-Lai_Shake_Hands_at_the_Nixons'_Arrival_in_Peking,_China.jpg -
Roe V. Wade
Feminists sought reform. Women's shelters were opened, the protection from employment discrimination of pregnant women, rape reform, etc. were fought for. Roe V. Wade ultimately disproved that abortions in the first 3 months were illegal. Made a nontherapeutic abortion a legal medical procedure nationwide. This is significant because it advocated for women's rights, pushing for reformation. -
Nixon resigns due to Watergate scandal
This scandal began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. It ultimately exploited a spew of illegal activities and cover-ups by the Nixon administration. His public support decayed and led to his resign. This is significant because it shows that political leaders should be held accountable and how power can shift. Even powerful figures, like Nixon, could be forced to resign due to exploitation. -
Watergate scandal
Fig 5: Bettmann Archives. "President Nixon and officials involved in the Watergate scandal." Axios. https://www.axios.com/2022/06/22/watergate-trial-digitized-50th-anniversary -
Jimmy Carter elected President
Jimmy Carter's victory against Gerald Ford was accounted for by his portrayal as an outsider, a reformer, and a persona untainted by the Watergate scandal. This is significant because his Presidency made a shift towards human's rights, peace, and much more -
Camp David Accords signed
These Accords, brokered by Jimmy Carter, were a series of agreements between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David. This agreement provided a path for a peace treaty between the 2 countries. This is significant because they marked brought the Middle East to a time of peacemaking after near-constant conflict. -
Iranian protesters storm U.S. Embassy
A group of Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took American Hostages. This was a direct response to Carter's decision to allow the Shah of Iran to enter the U.S. for medical treatment. This is significant because it impacted American foreign policies, as well as politics. This ultimately led to Jimmy Carter's loss in the 1980 election and how they approached prohibition.
