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Forrest Gump Movie Timeline
The Age of America -
Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog"
In 1957, Forrest Gump met Elvis Presley. Presley came to Gump's family hotel. While Elvis played guitar and sang. "Hound Dog," Forrest danced with braces on his legs. The song is is ranked number 19 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." This inspired Presley's famous dance for the song. This song helped pave the way for Elvis to be crowned the "King of Rock 'n Roll." -
Desegregation of the University of Alabama
Forrest witnesses African-American students enter the University of Alabama. Protests ensue from white students and faculty. When an African-American woman enters the building and drops a book, Forrest walks out of the crowd to pick it up and hands it to her. -
JFK Assasinated - Chapter 28: The Kennedy and Johnson Years (1960-1968) Section 2: Kennedy's New Frontier
John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. Kennedy was shot in the head by Lee Harvey Oswald. When Forrest Gump saw the news, he said, "That nice man got shot." Forrest met Kennedy after playing football for the All-American Team. In 1968, JFK's brother, Robert F. Kennedy was also assassinated. -
Vietnam War - Chapter 29: The Vietnam War Era (1954-1975) Section 2: U.S. Involvement Grows
Forrest enters the Vietnam War only knowing that Vietnam is just " a different country." In Vietnam, Forrest experiences monsoons and guerrilla warfare. Forrest saves Lieutenant Dan but loses his best friend, Bubba, in battle. Vietnam War was fought between the United States and Vietnam to contain communism in East Asia and even though the United States claimed many victories, Vietnam still ended up being a communist country. -
Black Panther Party - Chapter 27: The Civil Rights Movement (1945-1975) Section 3: New Successes and Challenges
The Black Panther party was made in Oakland, California in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. At first, the party was created to limit police brutality. Then it instituted a variety of community social programs for African Americans. Jennie introduced Forrest to the party in Washington D.C. during Vietnam anti-war protests. -
Ping Pong Diplomacy
Ping Pong Diplomacy is the exchange of ping pong players between the United States and China during the Nixon administration. In 1971 nine American players were the first to be allowed into mainland China since 1949.This event marked a beginning of a great relationship between the countries. In the movie, Forrest was one of the ping pong players that went to play in China. -
Creation of Nike
Nike was originally developed in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports. Nike was made in 1971 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. In the movie, Forrest receives original white Nike shoes from Jennie in which she teaches him how to dance. Over half a century, Nike developed into a leading-class sports company. -
Watergate Scandal
Watergate was a major political scandal in which the Nixon administration tried to cover up ties to a break-in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. The break-in was found to be funded by the Committee for the Re-Election of the President, which was the official organization of Nixon's campaign. While Forrest was in Washington D.C. at the Watergate Hotel, he witnessed the break-in take place. -
Nixon Resignation
President Richard Nixon resigned from office in 1974, more than two years after the Watergate political scandal. Nixon resigned because he was facing impeachment and conviction. Gerald Ford, Nixon's vice president and successor, pardoned him. -
Hurricane Carmen
Hurricane Carmen hit Louisiana on the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane threatened New Orleans, caused crop damage and killed several people. Hurrican Carmen ended over eastern Texas on September 10, 1974. -
Investment in Apple Computer, Inc.
Apple Computer, Inc was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne in 1976. Apple first made computers and now makes iPhones, iPads and Macs. On Forrest's behalf, Lieutenant Dan invested money made from the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. to Apple. This investment made them richer. -
Fitness Craze
The fitness craze of the late 1970's and early 1980's encouraged Americans to jog/run. Joe Gold, founder of Gold's Gym, is credited as the father of the fitness craze. In the early 1980's, stars like Jane Fonda released VHS fitness tapes which motivated people at home to get fit. In the movie, Gump runs for more than three years, implementing on the fitness craze.
