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Rosa Parks is Arrested
An African-American woman named Rosa Parks denied a white male a seat on a bus in the city of Montgomery, Alabama. This event caused a movement larger than ever for African-American civil rights, and Rosa Parks is still a modern hero. -
Soviet Union Launches the World's First Satellite.
On October 4th, 1957, The USSR launched the first satellite, named "Sputnik" into space. This triggered a fear in the United States that the USSR was further ahead technologically. America's response to this started what is known now as the 'Space Race'. -
America Sends their First Satellite into Space
The United States revealed their first satellite known as the "Explorer I" after seeing the Soviet's "Sputnik". This started what was known as the 'Space Race' between America and the USSR, where both sides competed to see who could accomplish more off of our planet. -
John F. Kennedy Is Elected As President
John F. Kennedy beat Richard Nixon in the 1960 election, where JFK was seen as attractive and well-spoken, and Nixon was seen as a sweaty old man. Kennedy was elected as the youngest president of the United States. -
Bay of Pigs
In an attempt to destroy the Castro leadership in Cuba, an army of 1,500 soldiers arrived at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba, equipped and supported by the US. The operation, which was conceived under Eisenhower's presidency but carried out under Kennedy's, was a disaster that severely harmed American reputation. Kennedy's reputation also suffered as a result. -
Martin Luther King Jr. Delivers "I Have a Dream" Speech
On the 28th of August, 1963, civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, advocating for equality among all races. Protestors marched around the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. -
Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
While riding through Dallas, Texas, President John F. Kennedy was shot in the back of the head in front millions of people in the area and on television. It is believed that Kennedy was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald. This assassination devastated American citizens. -
Vietnam War Begins
The Vietnam War officially began on August 5, 1964, when North Vietnamese gunboats assaulted two US Navy warships in the Gulf of Tonkin. President Lyndon B. Johnson dealt with the issues in Vietnam for the majority of his presidency.