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President Kennedy is elected
In 1960, Democrat John F. Kennedy beat Republican Richard Nixon. Kennedy won with a margin of 0.17%. -
First airing of “The Flintstones”
"The Flintstones" was an animated show and was the first animated series to have a prime-time slot on TV. -
SNCC formed
SNCC was the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. It was founded by young people that were dedicated to nonviolent action tactics. -
First televised Presidential debate
The first televised presidential debate was between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon. -
Berlin wall is constructed
The Berlin Wall divided Germany from 1961-1989. West Berlin was cut off from East Berlin until 1989. -
James Meredith registers at Ole Miss
James Meredith was the first African American to attend the University of Mississippi. -
Russians send the first man into space
Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet cosmonaut and pilot. He was also the first human to go into space. -
Roger Maris of the Yankees breaks Babe Ruth’s single season home run record
Babe Ruth had the record of 60 home runs in a season. Roger Maris beat this record with 61 home runs in a season. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States. This was over nuclear-armed Soviet missiles on Cuba. -
Marilyn Monroe dies
At age 36, Marilyn Monroe died of a barbiturate overdose. She died in her home in Los Angeles, CA. -
SDS releases its Port Huron statement
The Port Huron statement was a political manifesto of the American student activist movement Students for a Democratic Society. -
John F. Kennedy is assassinated
35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, Is assassinated while riding in a convertible with his wife. -
Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” Speech
Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech was about civil and economic rights and wanting an end to racism. It is one of the most famous speeches in history. -
"Dr. No" the first James Bond movie premiers
"Dr. No" is the first film in the James Bond film series, and the first to star Sean Connery as Bond. -
The Beatles arrive in the United States
On February 7th, 1964, the Beatles arrived in New York to play their first-ever concerts in the United States. -
Lyndon B Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater
Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Republican Barry Goldwater in the 1964 election. -
New York World’s Fair begins
The World Fair was a fair that held over 140 pavilions and 110 restaurants, representing 80 nations. -
The Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan
On February 9th, 1964, the Beatles performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. -
Malcolm X assassinated
Malcolm X, an African American human rights activist and Muslim minister was assassinated at Audubon Ballroom. -
Watts race riots
The Watts riots took place in the Watts neighborhood. These riots were likely caused by unemployment, poor schools, and living conditions in Watts. -
"Star Trek" TV show airs
The first episode of the show aired on September 6th, 1966 on CTV in Canada, followed by a September 8th, 1966 airing on NBC in America. -
Beatles release Sgt. Pepper’s album
The Beatles released their eighth album on May 26th. This album was number one on the charts in America. -
Thurgood Marshall nominated to the Supreme Court
To replace Justice Tom Clark, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Thurgood Marshall. He was the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court. -
San Francisco “Summer of Love” begins
"Summer of Love" was a social phenomenon and hippie movement. -
First NFL Football Super Bowl
The Green Bay Packers played against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first NFL Super Bowl. The Green Bay Packers won 35-10. -
Boxer Muhammed Ali refuses military service
Boxer, Muhammad Ali, refused army induction. Because of this, he lost his heavyweight title. -
Tet offensive
The Tet Offensive was a series of attacks on South Vietnam staged by the North Vietnamese. These attacks were trying to persuade the US to reduce their participation in the Vietnam War. -
Richard Nixon is elected
After losing to John F. Kennedy in 1960, Nixon runs for the presidency again in 1968. In this election, he beats George Wallace and Hubert Humphrey. -
Robert Kennedy is assassinated
At the Ambassador Hotel in LA, Robert F. Kennedy is shot after he wins the presidential primary in California. -
Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Tennessee. He was shot while standing outside on his balcony at his house. -
LSD declared illegal by the U.S. government
LSD is a synthetic (man-made) drug that has been abused for its hallucinogenic properties. -
Protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention
In 1968, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, an abundance of Vietnam War protesters battle police in the streets. -
American astronauts land on the moon
Apollo 11 was the spacecraft that landed the first humans on the moon. Neil Armstrong was the first person to step foot on the moon. -
Woodstock concert
Woodstock was a music festival held at a dairy farm in Bethel, New York. -
Stonewall riots
The Stonewall riots were executed by members of the gay community because of a police raid at the Stonewall Inn. -
The Rolling Stones host the Altamont music festival
The Altamont Festival was a counterculture rock concert in the United States, held on December 6, 1969, at the Altamont Speedway.