-
In 1886, Nathan Bedford Forrest joined the KKK and became the first grand wizard. Forrest distanced himself from the KKK but was an active member for a while. Forrest mentions that he's named after the civil war general toward the beginning of the movie.
-
-
The fight in Vietnam technically started in 1962 since there were no US casualties until 1962. In the movie Forrest serves in the US army in Vietnam and saves many of his crew members. many people were injured including Forrest himself and Lieutenant Dan.
-
On January 1, 1963, The University of Alabama was officially desegregated. Blacks and Whites could now be educated together. This event took place in the movie when it is announced on TV.
-
As president John F. Kennedy rode through Dallas, Texas, he was shot and killed. The killer's name was Lee Harvey Oswald. JFK's death was the most recent successful assassination.
-
On July 20, 1969, The first humans to step foot on the moon, walked on the moon. They landed on the moon and it was an enormous event and it changed the world. In the movie, the moon landing is announced on TV.
-
The watergate scandal was a political scandal that took place in the 1970s. There was a break in at the watergate hotel where many Democrats were meeting. Nixon was involved but denied it. Before he could be impeached Nixon resigned
-
In 1974, Hurricane Carmen took place and destroyed many houses and boats. In the movie, Carmen destroys all of the shrimping boats except for Forrest's. This brings great fortune to Forrest.
-
On August 8, 1974, President Richard Milhous Nixon resigned from his presidency. Nixon had recently been accused of being affiliated with the Watergate scandal and resigned before he could be impeached. This event took place during the movie and supposedly was Forrest's fault.
-
In 1976, the company, Apple is founded. Forrest supposedly invests in it in the movie. Apple later makes millions of phones and computers.
-
On December 8, 1980, John Lennon is shot and killed. He was murdered by Mark David Chapman. John Lennon was a member of the Beatles and was on a talk show with Forrest in the movie.
-
An attempt was made on president Reagan's life and he was wounded badly. Reagan may have been shot but he was not killed. The US president lived through the this attempt.
-
In 1981, HIV and AIDS broke out across the country. In the movie, Jenny contracts AIDS and dies from AIDS. AIDS is one of the most deadly sexually transmitted diseases.
