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SNCC formed
SNCC stands for the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee. It was formed by young people dedicated to nonviolent direct action tactics. Martin Luther King Jr. hoped it would serve as the youth wing of the southern Christian leadership conference, but it remained independent. -
First televised Presidential debate
Kennedy and Nixon had the first televised presidential debate. It was well known because Kennedy emerged as the apparent winner, primarily because he seemed more at ease being on camera, while Nixon looked nervous. -
First airing of "The Flintstones"
It was the first animated series to hold a prime time slot on television. -
President Kennedy is elected
Democratic candidate and senator, John F. Kennedy, defeats the republican candidate Richard Nixon. -
Russians send the first man to space
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to journey to outer space. -
Berlin wall is constructed
After Germany was defeated, the allied powers occupied the country and there were various zones of occupation. The Soviet Union occupied the Eastern part of Berlin, and constructed the wall to prevent its occupants from escaping to West Berlin. -
Roger Maris of the Yankees breaks Babe Ruth's single season homerun record
He became the first person to hit more than 60 homeruns in a season. -
SDS releases its Port Huron statement
The political manifesto of the Students for a Democratic Society. The manifesto discusses the belief that students could create change through nonviolent means. -
Marilyn Monroe dies
The world was stunned when actress and movie icon Marilyn Monroe was unexpectedly found dead. -
James Meredith registers at Ole Miss
James Meredith was the first African American to enroll in Ole Miss, an all white public university. He had to be escorted onto campus by Marshalls, which ended up setting off riots. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Soviet Union began to secretly install missiles in Cuba to attack the U.S. -
“Dr. No” the first James Bond movie premieres
The first of many James Bond films, which is based off of the novel by Ian Flemming. -
Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" Speech
A public speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. during the march on Washington. He declared for an end to racism. -
John F. Kennedy is assassinated
He was assassinated while riding through a presidential motorcade in Dealey Plaza. -
The Beatles arrive in the United States
Prior to their arrival, the Beatles became wildly popular in America, and when they arrived to do concerts in the U.S. for the first time, they were greeted by thousands of screaming fans. -
The Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan
The first appearance in front of an American television audience, they performed "I wanna hold your hand." -
New York World’s Fair begins
A world's fair that had over 80 nations represented. It was held in Flushing Meadows, in Queens, NYC. -
Lyndon B. Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater
Incumbent Democratic Lydon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater with over 61% of the popular vote, which was the largest margin of victory since 1820. -
Malcolm X assassinated
Malcolm X, a human and civil rights activist was killed in Manhattan prior to giving a speech; he was gunned down by three members of the nation of Islam. He was killed in front of his wife and daughters. -
Watts race riots
The Watts riots occurred in the Los Angeles area after a crowd observed the mistreatment of an African American man by police. -
“Star Trek” TV show airs
Star Trek is a science fiction franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. It quickly became a pop-culture phenomenon worldwide. -
San Francisco "Summer of Love" begins
A phenomenon in which over 100,000 people of the counterculture went to the streets of San Francisco. -
First NFL Football Super Bowl
The Green Bay Packers of the NFL defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. -
Boxer Muhammad Ali refuses military service
Muhammad Ali refuses military service due to his religious beliefs, because he is Muslim. He was subsequently penalized by being stripped of his boxing titles. -
The Beatles release the Sgt. Pepper's album
This Beatles release was a defining moment in 60's pop culture. -
Thurgood Marshall nominated to the Supreme Court
Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. -
Tet offensive
A coordinated series of military attacks from Northern Vietnam on Southern Vietnam -
Martin Luther King Jr. assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis by James Earl Ray. -
Robert Kennedy is assassinated
Sirhan Sirhan shot and killed Robert Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. -
Protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention
The 1968 DNC was held in Chicago and was a stage for multiple protests and activities relating to the Vietnam war and civil rights. -
LSD declared illegal by U.S. government
LSD was a popular drug in the 60's used for its hallucinogenic properties. -
Richard Nixon elected
President Nixon wins the presidential election against Hubery Humphrey. -
Stonewall riots
The Stonewall riots were spontaneous protests by the LGBTQ community in response to a police raid. -
American astronauts land on the moon
Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin became the first humans to land on the moon. -
Woodstock concert
A music and art fair held in Bethel, New York. It became way more populated than anyone would have expected. -
The Rolling Stones host the Altamont music festival
A music festival held at Altamont raceway in California, headlined by The Rolling Stones. Four people died, including someone being stabbed by a security guard.