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McCarthyism
A communist "witch hunt" headed by U.S. senator Joseph McCarthy in an attempt to repress communism. -
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Korean War
North Korea and South Korea were at odds; The war was not heavily covered by media like the Vietnam War. -
I Love Lucy premieres on television
Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the sitcom ran for six seasons and is still syndicated today. -
American Bandstand
American Bandstand was a variety show featuring teenages dancing to popular music of the time. The show ended in 1989. -
Disneyland Park opens
The first Disney park in the franchise, built in Anaheim, California under Walt Disney's supervision. -
Emmett Till is murdered
While visiting his relatives in Mississippi, Emmett was suspected of flirting with a white woman in a store. He was subsequently kidnapped by the woman's husband and his brother, beaten to death, and had his body disposed of in a river. -
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Vietnam War
The longest lasting war that the United States participated in. The US was trying to contain communism, feeling that if South Vietnam fell, the rest of South Asia would. There is no winner of this war, and South Vietnam eventually fell to communism anyway. -
Space Race
Competiton between Soviet Union and the US for their supermacy in space exploration. 1957-1975 Cold War rivalry -
Alaska is admitted as a state
Admitted as a state due to Alaska Statehood Act, which was signed by President Eisenhower on July 7th, 1958. Alaska is the 49th state in the Union. -
Motown is founded
Founded by Berry Gordy in Detroit, Michigan. The company featured many Black acts, helping racial integration of popular music. -
Hawaii is admitted as a state
The final state to be admitted to the Union after being an annexed territory 1898. -
Civil Rights Movement
A movement to further the rights of minorities, women, and LGBT communites in the United States that occured during the 1960s through acts of civil disobedience, civil unrest, as well as non-violent protests. -
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The Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was constructed to separate communist East Berlin from West Berlin. After over 20 years, the Wall was torn down, and Berlin became free of communism. -
Wal-Mart is founded
The largest retail chain in the world founded by Sam Walton. -
March on Washington
The March on Washington was conducted for the purposes of providing jobs and freedom for opressed communities of America at the time. Martin Luther King spoke during this event. -
I Have a Dream speech
Power speech by Martin Luther King Jr. for equalities for all individuals -
16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
A pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement when on Sunday, September 15th, 1963, a church in Birmingham, Alabama was a attacked as a racial hate crime, killing 4 young girls as a result. -
John F. Kennedy is assassinated
While in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas, John F. Kennedy was shot in the head by Lee Harvey Oswald. Two others were wounded. -
The Jackson 5 is formed
Based out of Gary, Indiana at first, the Jackson 5 was made up of five Jackson brothers. They later signed to Motown for a successful career as one of the first Black crossover acts in the 20th century. -
Malcom X Assassination
X was assassinated duirng a speech in New York. Millitant civil right leader and thought black people should raise their own economy, sepreate from the whites. He was killed in front of his family. -
Black Panther Parties
African American revolutionary organization in Oakland. Wanted to prevent racism against blacks and to be treated equally. -
Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated
While giving a speech supporting a strike by African American sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee, King was shot dead from the balcony he was standing on allegedly by James Earl Ray. -
Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
Aftering winning a senate election, RFK was shot in the Ambassador Hotel kitchen. -
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Zodiac Killer
The Zodiac Killer was a serial killer who murdered people Vallejo and San Francisco area of California in the late 1960s. He has never been found. -
Neil Armstrong is first man to walk on the moon
Apollo 11 was the first spacecraft to land humans on the moon, and Neil Armstrong was the first human to touch foot on the surface. -
Woodstock Music and Art Fair
A outdoor festival in which musical acts would perform for a large audience of young people. -
The Brady Bunch premieres
A series about a blended family that got popular during its syndication. -
Kent State University Shootings
The Ohio National Guard fired shots at unarmed college students who were protesting the Cambodian Campaign/Vietnam War. -
Walt Disney World opens
Founded by Roy O. Disney, older brother of Walt Disney, Disney World resort became the second and largest Disney park to be built. It opened in 1971 in Lake Buena Vista, months before Roy Disney passed away. The resort was originally to be called Disney World, but was changed to Walt Disney World to honor his younger brother who had died in 1966. -
Soul Train premieres
"Love, Peace, and Sooooul."
Headed from the early 70s to the early 90s by Don Cornelius, the variety show featured a number of acts regarding the genres of funk, r&b, jazz, and hip-hop. Some people considered this the "black American Bandstand." The show ended in 2006. -
Watergate Scandal
A major political scandal, which led to a president's resignation; the scandal came about after a break-in at the Democratic National Committee occurred at the Watergate office; Nixon's team had tried to cover up their involvement. -
M*A*S*H premieres
The show followed a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War. The show aired during the Vietnam War era. -
Microsoft is founded
Microsoft is a company that provides software for computerized programs. The company has grown from just Windows to having partnerships with Xbox, Skype, Google, Internet Explorer and more. The founder, Bill Gates, is one of the richest men in the world due to this product. -
Saturday Night Live premieres
A variety and sketch-comedy show created by Lorne Michaels. The satires and skits are based on current events in American culture. -
Roots premieres
A television miniseries by Alex Haley that depicted the author's family history beginning from 1750 with the story of his ancestor Kunta Kinte -- a captured slave -- up until Alex Haley's own life in the 20th century. Another miniseries, Queen, depicted Haley's paternal grandmother's story. -
John Lennon is murdered
Shot by Mark David Chapman on his way upstairs to his New York apartment, The Dakota. Lennon was reknowned for his musical talent -- once being a part of the Beatles -- and for his pacifism and promotion of peace. -
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS first clinically observed during this year. -
Attempted Assassination of Ronald Reagan
As Reagan left the Hilton, John Hinckley fired. One bullet entered Reagan’s chest, hitting a lung and got stuck one inch from his heart. -
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is recognized as a federal holiday.
Nearly 20 years after his death, Martin Luther King Jr. was honored by having his birthday recognized as a federal holiday. -
Gulf War begins
Coalition forces led by the United States against Iraq for the invasion and annexation of Kuwait.
