Timeline: 1960-1970

Feb 1, 1960

First Sit-In Protests

A group of students launch protests against segregation at a "Whites only" lunch counter of the Woolworth store in Greensboro, NC. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

May 1, 1960

U2 Plane Shot Down

PBSSoviet Russia shoots down U.S. spy plane. Pilot Francis Gary Powers is detained for two years.

Aug 18, 1960

The US launches Discoverer XIV, its first camera equipped spy satellite.

http://www.thespacerace.com/timeline/

Nov 8, 1960

Kennedy Elected

John F. Kennedy wins presidency in tightest election since 1884. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Apr 11, 1961

Bob Dylan's First Public Performance

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Apr 16, 1961

Bay of Pigs: Failed Invasion of Cuba

CIA-backed Cuban exiles launch a failed attempt to remove Fidel Castro from power. An international embarrassment, the episode puts Kennedy's leadership in question. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

May 25, 1961

U.S. Denies Soviet Control of Space

The battle for technological superiority is a central theme in the Cold War between the U.S. and Russia --
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Period: Jul 1, 1961 to Jul 31, 1961

Ban-The-Bomb Protests

Anti-Nuclear Activists coordinate worldwide protests against nuclear weapons.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Period: Oct 22, 1962 to Oct 28, 1963

Cuban Missile Crisis

Photos by U.S. spy planes reveal the Soviets are positioning camouflaged nuclear missiles in Cuba.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Aug 28, 1963

"I Have A Dream..."

MLK gave his I have a dream speech
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Nov 22, 1963

Kennedy Assassinated

President John F. Kennedy is shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. Lyndon Johnson is quick sworn in as President. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Period: Apr 1, 1964 to Jun 1, 1964

U.S. Navy Arrives

After North Vietnam goes into Laos, U.S. moves 2 carriers offshore.
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Jul 2, 1964

Civil Rights ActLegislation outlaws discrimination on basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Jul 31, 1964

Ranger 7 transmits the first close range images of the Moon.

http://www.thespacerace.com/timeline/

Jun 8, 1965

U.S. Goes on the Offensive

U.S. troops in Vietnam get permission to go on the offensive. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Jul 30, 1965

Johnson Signs Medicare Bill

The legislation establishes a health program for the elderly. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Aug 6, 1965

Voting Rights Act

The legislation ends discrimination at the polls. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Sep 5, 1965

The "Hippie" Comes Into Being

http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

May 25, 1966

Cold War Satire Premiers

The film The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming, tells the story of the comic chaos which ensues when a Soviet submarine runs aground near a small New England town. http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html

Jun 30, 1966

NOW is Born

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded with the stated purpose of bringing "women into full participation in the mainstream of American society." http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html