Forrest Gump Timeline Project

Ku Klux Klan

Dec 24, 1951

The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist group. They used violent techniques and lynching to harm African Americans. The KKK were very much against desegregation and that is why they used this different acts of violence and terrorism. On this very specific day they burned down a building.

Elvis Presley

1954

Elvis was a popular artist around this time. In the movie it shows where Forrest teaches him a dance he does with his legs. This dance becomes popular around the world. Elvis was a big influencer as well because he served for our country and made music.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkalgHGL1ao)

Brown v. Board of Education Court Case

May 17, 1954

This case determined the desegregation of public schools. It also challenged the ruling of "separate but equal." All races whether they were black or white would be able to go to school together. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F4edxloXCc)

Vietnam War

Nov 1, 1955

The Vietnam War occurred during the Cold War era. This was the U.S. way of involving themselves to stop the spread of communism. It was a very scary and dangerous era for America. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPPaZU18rUg)

The Beatles

1960

The Beatles were an England band. They were well known for their music in the hippie movement. Before they even became "The Beatles" they were known as the "Black Jacks."

Hippie (Counterculture) Movement

1962

This was a movement of people who were against war and the opposite of the mass culture. They did whatever they pleased and expressed theirselves freely. This group was well known around this time period. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi3MQqy3uHM)

March on Washington

Aug 28, 1963

This march was for the purpose of mostly African Americans but many others. They wanted more jobs and better treatment. African Americans were discriminated against and dealt with a lot during this time. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjL1E3R9dF4)

John F. Kennedy Assassinated

Nov 22, 1963

The assassination of the 35th president, JFK, was a tragic event. It was one of a world changing events in America's history. In Forrest Gump, Forrest also got a chance to meet JFK because he was part of the All-American college football team.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FCqjClIxuU)

The Black Panther Party

Oct 15, 1966

This group was an American revolutionary group. They were all about protecting and preventing racism to African Americans. They believed that all blacks and other human deserved to be treated equally. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2016/02/16/fifty-years-later-america-still-cant-understand-the-black-panthers/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.5a86b31125b7)

First Moon Landing

Jul 20, 1969

This event marked a very proud moment in history. The Apollo 11 as many people may know it as. Neil Armstrong who was the astronaut on this mission was the first man on the moon in the United States. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMINSD7MmT4)

Ping Pong Diplomacy

Apr 10, 1971

Cold War tensions between the United States and communist China were lessened thanks to a ping-pong game invitation. This trip led to a renewed dialogue between the two nations. It opened the door for President Richard Nixon’s China visit the following year.

Watergate Scandal

Jun 17, 1972

Five men were arrested after breaking into Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, DC. News broke out that Nixon was responsible for the break in. When the drama started to rise Nixon resigned and was later pardoned.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmnSMlAstMc)

Hurricane Carmen

1974

Hurricane Carmen was the most intense tropical cyclone of 1974. In the U.S. the hurricane alone cost more than $50 million in damages. It formed on the day of August 29, 1974 and did not end until September 11, 1974. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZH9ebAZouk)

Apple Inc.

Apr 1, 1976

In the movie it mentioned that Forrest invested in the business. Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne were the founders of Apple Inc. The first product from this company was a computer. Now today, there are many products and they are a very popular business. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNa4EMUWnAc)

Failed Attempt of Ronald Reagan Killing

Mar 30, 1981

This event happened where a man by the name of John Hinckley Jr. shot at Ronald Reagan. His secret service agents in order to protect him got in the way of the bullet and pushed Reagan into the car. Ronald Reagan did end up getting wounded along with his 3 other agents, but 1 one of the agents ended up dying. This all took place outside of the Washington Hilton Hotel after president Reagan was finishing a speaking engagement. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss6vmbtOvU8)