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SNCC Formed
The Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee was formed by civil rights activist Ella Baker and followed the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. -
First Televised Presidential Debate
John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon participate in the first televised presidential debate at CBS in Chicago. -
First Airing of the Flintstones
The popular animated series was a representation of the common 60s family but in the stone age. -
President Kennedy is Elected
Democratic Nominee, John F. Kennedy, beats Republican Nominee Richard Nixon. -
Russians Send the First Man into Space
Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin is the first man to orbit the planet and first man in space. This was accomplished in 82 minutes. -
Berlin Wall is Constructed
The Berlin Wall was originally constructed by East Germany for keeping out fascists. -
Roger Marus of the Yankees breaks Babe Ruth's single season home run record
Roger Maris is the first baseball player to it more than 60 home runs in a single season. -
SDS Releases its Port Huron Statement
SDS claims that we should treat civil rights movements by changing society in universities. -
Marilyn Monroe Dies
Marilyn Monroe is found dead of a barbiturate overdose. -
James Meredith Registers at Ole Miss
James Meredith is admitted into the University of Mississippi. The integration of Ole Miss led to violent campus uprising and tensions between the President and the Governor of Mississippi. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
Because America had missiles in Turkey and the Soviet Union had missiles in Cuba, there was a stand off between the countries. The crisis ended when both countries removed their missiles. -
"Dr.No" the first James Bond Movie Premiers
The very first James Bond movie premiers starring Sean Connery, and Ursula Andress. -
Dr.King's "I Have a Dream" Speech
King delivered a speech at the March on Washington that called for civil and economic rights for the end of racism in the United States. -
John F. Kennedy is Assassinated
While in a presidential motorcade, JFK was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. -
The Beatles arrive in the United States
The Beatles arrived in the U.S. through JFK Airport. Two day's later, when they performed live for the first time on U.S. television, 73 million Americans viewed their program. -
The Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan
The Beatles are seen on the Ed Sullivan show in front of 73 million Americans while women in the audience scream. -
New York World's Fair Begins
The New York World's fair starts with over 45 corporation exhibits. People interact with computers for the first time. -
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident, in 1964, occurred when North Vietnamese warships attacked the U.S.S. Maddox and the U.S.S.C. Turner Joy in the Gulf of Tonkin. President Johnson denied provoking the attack, but the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was made anyway. -
Lyndon B Johnson defeats Barry Goldwater
Lyndon B Johnson crushed Barry Goldwater with over 60% of the popular vote. -
Malcolm X Assassinated
American Muslim minister and human rights activist is assassinated by three members of the Nation of Islam. -
Watts Race Riots
Tensions between police and the black community rose to a breaking point when Marquette Frye and police fought on the side of the road. Riots ensued and resulted in 34 deaths and $40 million in damage. -
"Star Trek" TV Show Airs
The popular science fiction television show has its first episode. -
LSD Declared Illegal by the U.S. government
The U.S. government recognized the risk of LSD abuse and changed its classification to completely outlawed in all circumstances including academic research. -
San Francisco "Summer of Love" Begins
To reject conformist and materialist values, many youth "dropped-out" for a summer of sex drugs and rock and roll. -
First NFL Football Super Bowl
The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10. -
Muhammad Ali Refuses Military Service
Muhammad Ali declares that he is a conscientious objector. -
The Beatles Release Sergeant Pepper's Album
Although released later in the U.S., Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was number one in both the UK and the U.S. for weeks. -
Thurgood Marshall Nominated to the Supreme Court
Lyndon B. Johnson nominates the first African American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall. -
Monterrey Music Festival Held
This famous pop festival, held in California, marked the start of the "Summer of Love". -
Tet Offensive
The Tet offensive, an attack from the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong armies led to American disapproval for the war. -
Martin Luther King Jr. Assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr., prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement, was shot by James Earl Ray. -
Robert Kennedy is Assassinated
Robert Kennedy was assassinated during his run for president. -
Protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention
Counterculture groups came to protest the Vietnam War outside of the Democratic National Convention. -
Richard Nixon is Elected
Previous VP Nixon beats Democratic Hubert Humphrey. -
Stonewall Riots
Violent demonstrations by members of the gay community in response to a police raid. -
American Astronauts Land on the Moon
Four days after taking off, Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Michael Collins landed on the moon in the Lunar Module called Eagle. Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon. -
Manson family murders Sharon Tate
Charles Manson and his family brutally stab Sharon Tate while 8 1/2 months pregnant and four guests. Sharon's husband Roman Polanski was not home at the time. -
Woodstock Concert
The Woodstock Concert created a much larger counterculture generation and was pivotal to rock and roll. -
The Rolling Stones host the Altamont Music Festival
The Rolling Stones hosted the West Coast Woodstock. This festival turned violent after dark and resulted in Meredith Hunter's stabbing.
