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Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan is a hate group prominent in three eras of American history. With millions of members over centuries, the group incites fear into target demographics such as African Americans, Jews, immigrants, etc. Using threats, violence, and demonstrations they continue to suppress minorities in underground secretive plots. -
Governor Wallace
Governor of Alabama who promoted systematic racism from inside the system. With heavy ties to the KKK, he actively fought to segregate the country, even standing in front of the door of the University of Alabama to block the entrance of black students. -
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was an extremely popular American singer known as the King of Rock and Roll. He gained this title for tying in blues and jazz genres into the mainstream. Some of his most popular songs are Jailhouse Rock and Can't Help Falling in love which continue to influence American culture. -
Joan Baez
An American folk singer who also promoted her activism in her music, specifically anti war songs like Saigon Bride. She was an inspiration to many young Americans of her era. -
Brown v. Board of Education
A landmark case in civil rights overturning Plessy v. Ferguson which ruled "separate but equal" constitutional. This allowed for desegregation of public schools nationally. Although there was much pushback, the step towards equal education was a huge step toward equality and a powerful message toward racists. -
Vietnam War
In the aftermath of WWII, the two central powers, the United States and the Soviet Union battled for power. This Cold War led to a proxy war in Vietnam where Soviet communism has spread to the Northern part of the country. The US entered the war to support the Southern Vietnamese effort to create a democracy. It was extremely brutal and costly yet continued through many presidencies because of the fear of looking weak on communism. This war was also fought by middle and lower class Americans. -
Hippies
A piece of the counterculture movement of the sixties. Hippies consisted of a group of mostly anti-war pro "peace and love" who used drugs recreationally and did not adhere to societal norms. -
Black Panther
Founded in 1966 by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland California, the Black Panther Party was a response to the racism and brutality facing African Americans. Later the party was tied to more extremist actions with platforms including arming of all African Americans and the exemption from the draft. It was a significant factor in creating change for African Americans. http://amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu/archon/?p=digitallibrary/digitalcontent&id=93 -
Anti-War protests
Given the destructiveness of the Vietnam War and the introduction of the television which allowed Americans to visually see the horrors, a large protest movement arised. Often tied to the counter culture movement, huge sums of people protested across the country especially in Washington. The movement helped end the war. -
Hurricane Carmen
A destructive category four hurricane that took the lives of 8 people. It caused over a hundred million dollars in damage and was the most destructive of the 1974 Atlantic hurricane season. -
Apple
A technology company that begin as a small garage project by founders Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne, and Steve Wozniak. It achieved huge success, revolutionizing technology with their iPhones and other products. -
HIV Virus (Aids)
First noticed in the US by doctors in San Fransisco in gay male communities, the virus quickly became an epidemic. Because most of the early victims were gay, prevention and cure research was limited due to the stigma around homosexuality. However, large portions of the country were swept with the disease making it a huge part of American culture/history.
