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Pentagon Papers
Daniel Ellsberg leaked confidential information to the press. These Pentagon papers revealed that the government had kept information from Congress and the public and caused Americans to believe that the U.S. may lose the war in Vietnam. At first, Nixon tried to block the New York Times from publishing the information, but Congress ruled that the papers have the information, but Congress ruled that the papers have the constitutional right to publish any information they have. -
Brown V. Board of Education
Topeka Board of Education denied Linda Brown admittance to an all white school close to her house. Thurgood Marshall argued that a separate but equal violated the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. Supreme Court Chief Justice, Warren, decided separate educational facilities were inherently unequal. -
Peace Corps
A federal agency created by President Kennedy in 1961 to promote voluntary service by Americans in foreign countries. It provides labor power to help developing countries improve their infrastructure, health care, educational systems, and other aspects of their societies. Part of Kennedy's New Frontier vision, the organization represented an effort by postwar liberals to promote American values and influence through productive exchanges across the world. -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
In April 1961, a group of Cuban exiles organized and supported by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency landed on the southern coast of Cuba in an effort to overthrow Fidel Castro. When the invasion ended in disaster, President Kennedy took full responsibility for the failure. The invasion was a failure because U.S. air support did not arrive and the expected support from Cuba did not happen. -
Limited Test Ban Treaty
This treaty was signed on August 5th, 1963 as a reaction to Soviet nuclear tests. It prohibited nuclear testing undersea, in the air, and in space and only permitted underground. The treaty was signed by all major powers except for France or China. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act made racial, religious, and sex discrimination by employees illegal. It gave the government the power to enforce all laws governing Civil Rights, including desegregation of schools and public places. The act empowered the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to regulate fair employment. -
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
A joint resolution of the U.S. Congress passed on August 7th, 1964 in direct response to a minor naval engagement known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. Johnson claims that Vietnamese forces were torpedoing U.S. boats in international waters (the Gulf of Tonkin). It is of historical significance because it gave U.S. President, Lyndon B. Johnson, authorization, without a formal declaration of war by Congress, for the use of military force in southeast Asia. -
Miranda V. Arizona
Decided that suspects must be informed of their rights to legal counsel and silence upon their arrest. If they decide to remain silent or do not waive their rights, the interrogation must cease. No confession can be admissible under the fifth or sixth amendments unless a suspect has been made aware of their rights and has waived them. -
Tet Offensive
National Liberation Front and North Vietnamese Forces launched a huge attack on the Vietnamese New Year (Tet). It was defeated after a month of fighting and many thousands of casualties. This was a major defeat for communism, but Americans reacted sharply, with declining approval of LBJ and more anti-war sentiment. -
Kent State Massacre
President Nixon made an announcement that he had expanded the Vietnam war into Cambodia. Colleges around the country exploded with protesting and anti-war demonstrations that led to violence. National Guardsman shot into a crowd of protesters killing four college students and wounding many more in Ohio on May 4th, 1970. -
Roe V. Wade
Landmark Supreme Court decision that forbade states from barring abortion (before 3 months) by citing a woman's constitutional right to privacy. The verdict was seen as a victory for feminism and civil liberties by some. The decision provoked a strong counter-reaction by opponents to abortion, galvanizing the pro-life movement.