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Elvis Presley and Rock n' Roll
Elvis Presley was a famous singer whose youth and sex appeal helped to popularize rock n' roll in the 1950s. Rock n' roll was a crossover between blues and country featuring a heavy beat and rhythm. During this time rock n' roll became very popular with youth culture. Elvis Presley met Forrest Gump when Elvis stayed at the Gump House, Forrest taught him his signature dance, which helped Presley rise to fame. -
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a struggle between nationalist forces attempting to unify Vietnam. The United States and South Vietnam fought against North Vietnam to prevent the spread of communism even further in the nation. This war was extremely controversial in the United States because many Americans felt it was not our war to fight, resulting in many protests throughout the nation. Forrest Gump fought in the war and ended up getting shot while saving other soldiers during battle. -
JFK Assassination
President John F. Kennedy was murdered on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. Kennedy was in Texas to start campaigning for the 1964 election. The assassination and funeral was a defining moment for that generation because the nation was caught up in grief and the funeral was televised. Forrest had met the president previously when he went to the White House because he made the All-American football team during college.
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Desegregation of the University of Alabama
The governor of Alabama, George Wallace, refused to let Black students enter the University of Alabama. Wallace stood in front of the doorway as a blockade to not let the students in. Wallace was forced to yield to federal authority and let the African American students enter the University. During this time Forrest Gump attended the University of Alabama and one day picked up a book for a Black girl, showing kindness unlike many other students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgbNc-9Di7k -
Anti-War Protests During Vietnam
The Anti-War Movement was a student protest that started as the Free Speech movement in California and spread around the world. All members of the Anti-War Movement shared an opposition the Vietnam War because they claimed this was violating Vietnam's rights.Forrest Gump accidentally entered one of these protests while in Washington D.C. where many were gathered to fight back against the War.
https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/johnlennon/imagine.html -
Hippies
The movement arose as opposition to US involvement in the Vietnam War. Hippies were big believers of peace, burning draft letters and rejected other morals of traditional Americans as well. They practiced open love and openly used drugs such as LSD. San Francisco had a large hippy population, among them, Jenny Curran, Forrests friend.
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Black Panther Party
Started in Oakland, CA in 1966, the Black Panther Party was a militant organization that advocated for protection of African Americans rights- it was active through the 70s. The Black Panther Party was a part of the greater Black Power Movement and helped institute social reform programs and influence politics. When Forrest reconnects with Jenny, she takes him to the Black Panther Headquarters. After Jennys boy hits her, Forrest begins an altercation, which results in the two being kicked out. -
The Dick Cavett Show
Like other late night talk show hosts, Dick Cavett hosted celebrities however he was partial to those outside of the entertainment field such as rock and roll artists, politicians and authors, of which several would appear in one episode. Cavett was also popular for answering audience questions satirically. Gump appeared on the show alongside J Lennon after returning home from China where he partook in the ping pong diplomacy.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4464379/john-kerry-dick-cavett-show -
Moon Landing
In 1969 America was the first nation to step on the moon. Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon and stated "That's one small step for man...one giant leap for mankind". Along with Armstrong on the moon was Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. This event was shown in Forrest Gump on the TV when Forrest was playing ping pong to entertain soldiers. -
Disco
Disco is a musical style that emerged in clubs in the early 1970s, this style was very popular among east coast cities and Latino, gay and psychedelic communities. With this style emerged dances such as Bump and Hustle. Popular artists during this time were ABBA and the Bee Gees. Jenny was very involved in the Disco scene and did many hardcore drugs during this time, however they did not make her truly happy and she contemplated continuing life.
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Hurrican Carmen
A category 4 hurricane with winds up to 150 mph, Carmen caused $162 million in damage and cost the lives of 8 people. The storm ripped through the Caribbean and the Gulf in early September. Although it was the strongest of the season, damage was not as bad as initially thought. With his sponsorship money, Forrest bought a shrimping boat with which he did not have luck. He was on the water during the storm, while other boats were being demolished, this made his shrimping business flourish. -
Apple Computers
In the mid 1970s, Steve Jobs the co-founder of Apple, released the Apples first desktop computer. Several years later they, in 1984 Apple launched the Macintosh, where they found real success. A commercial that aired during that years Superbowl is where the computer made its debut and is credited for Apples overall success. Lieutenant Dan used Forrests money and invested it into Apple while they were still getting started, after there success, Forrest became rich.
