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Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans.: Landmark Supreme Court decision
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kans.: Landmark Supreme Court decision declares that racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional. -
Alaska becomes the 49th state
Alaska becomes the 49th state; Hawaii later becomes the 50th and last state on August 21st. -
Cuban Missile Crisis begins
Cuban Missile Crisis begins; President Kennedy denounces Soviet Union for secretly installing missile bases on Cuba and initiates a naval blockade of the island. -
President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas
President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Tex; He is succeeded in office by his vice president, Lyndon B. Johnson. -
President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act
President Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act; Ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. -
Congress approves Glutionulf of Tonkin resolution
Congress approves Glutionulf of Tonkin resolution; Authorizes President Johnson to take any measures necessary to defend U.S. forces and prevent further aggression. -
Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, Jr., become the first men to land on the Moon
Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, Jr., become the first men to land on the Moon; The moon landing was watched by an estimated 600 million people around the world. -
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified
The Twenty-Sixth Amendment to the Constitution is ratified, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. -
Roe v. Wade: Landmark Supreme Court decision
Roe v. Wade: Landmark Supreme Court decision legalizes abortion in first trimester of pregnancy. -
Representatives of North and South Vietnam, the Viet Cong, and the U.S. sign a cease-fire agreement in Paris
Representatives of North and South Vietnam, the Viet Cong, and the U.S. sign a cease-fire agreement in Paris; The last U.S. troops later leave Vietnam on March 29th.