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Vietnam War
In 1964, the United State's involvement in the Vietnam War increased significantly. A U.S. destroyer was attacked, so the U.S. began bombing North Vietnam. By 1967, the U.S. had 389,000 troops in Vietnam. The U.S. saw heavy loss of troops in 1968. By the time the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the U.S. had lost 58,000 servicemen and another 303,000 were wounded. -
President Kennedy Assassinated in Dallas, Texas
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald who was then shot and killed by Jack Ruby. -
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Civil Rights Acts
Due to poor treatment of African American, there were riots in major cities such as Los Angeles, California and Newark, New Jersey. Out of these civil right movements came the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Act of 1965. -
Martin Luther King, Jr. Assassinated
Martin Luther King, Jr. was champion of civil rights for African Americans. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against racial injustice. He was shot and killed by Jams Earl Ray on Memphis, Tennessee. Riots broke across the United State after his assassination. -
Senator Robert Kennedy Assassinated
Senator Kennedy was the leading Democratic candidate for presidential nomination after John F. Kennedy's death. He was shot and killed by Sirhan Sirhan at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. -
Richard Nixon Elected President of the United States of America
During his campaign for President, Richard Nixon hinted at a plan to end the Vietnam War. However, following his election, the United State's involvement in the war broadened. -
Kent State University Protest Controversy
On April 30, 1970, President Nixon broadened the United State' involvement in the Vietnam War by invading Cambodia along with South Vietnam. This triggered protests on college campuses across the country. The protest at Kent State turned violent when National Guardsmen killed 4 and injured 9 protestors. Jackson State University in Mississippi saw 2 killed and 9 injured. -
Watergate Scandal Begins
On the morning of June 17, 1972, five men were arrested for breaking in to the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington D.C. Subsequently, some of the cash found on the burglars was found to have been used by the Committee for the Re-election of the President. -
President Nixon Resigns from Office
Tapes released in the investigation of the Watergate scandal showed that President Nixon had ordered a cover-up. Based on this revelation, the Judiciary Committee recommended he be impeached. On August 8, 1974, Richard Nixon resigned from office making him the first U.S. president to resign from office. -
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Gasoline Shortage
From 1979 until 1980 the U.S. was in the midst of it's second gasoline shortage. Arab countries refused to sell oil to the U.S. There were long lines and rations of gasoline -
Herb Brooks Named U.S. Olympic Men's Hockey Team Coach
After winning three national college championships in 1974, 1976 and 1979, Herb Brooks was named as the coach of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey Team. -
Try-out Camp Begins
In August 1979, 68 Olympic hopefuls reported to try-out camp in Colorado Springs, CO with Herb Brooks. He eventually had to cut this group down to the 20 players that would make the U.S. Men's Hockey Team. The tryout included grueling practices and a 300 question psychological test. He was a very tough coach who pushed the young team incredibly hard. -
Iranian Hostage Crises
On November 4, 1979, and angry group of Islamic militants seized the U.S. Embassy in Iran and took more that 60 hostages. Although some were released soon after, 53 of them were held for 444 days. -
Soviets attendance at Olympic games threatened
In December 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan which increased tension between the United State and the Soviet Union. President Carter suggested that the U.S. boycott the 1980 summer game that were to be held in Moscow. Many assumed that this would cause the Soviets to boycott the winter games being held in the United States. The Soviets announced, however, that their athletes would compete. -
U.S. vs USSR Exhibition Game
Herb Brooks scheduled an exhibition game between the U.S. Olympic team and the Soviet National Team a few days before the start of the Olympics at Madison Square Garden. The U.S. team lost 10-3 and many thought they would not be competitive in the Olympics. They began the games ranked 7th out of 12 teams. -
Game 1: U.S. vs. Sweden
Ended in a 2-2 tie. Game tying goal scored in last 27 seconds by Bill Barker. Herb Brooks knew they needed to win or tie to vie for a medal. He thought they could only have one loss. -
Game2: U.S. vs. Czechoslovakia
U.S. victory in a 7-3 game -
Game 3: U.S. vs. Norway
U.S. wins 5-1 -
Game 4: U.S. vs.Romania
Easy victory for the U,S, final score 7-2 -
Game 5: U.S. vs..West Germany
Final game before medal round. U.S. wins again 4-2 -
Game 6: "Miracle On Ice"
Game played in front of 10,000 fans at the Olympic Field House. Soviets were up 3-2 in the third period when then U,S. tied the game at 3-3. About 90 seconds later, the U.S. scored again for a 4-3 lead. For the final 10 minutes of the game, the U.S. held off the Soviet team who began playing carelessly at times. Final score was 4-3 in the game known as the Miracle on Ice. Even though this game did not win the team medal, it gave the country hope and something good to be proud about. -
Game 7: Gold Medal Game
The United States played Finland for the gold medal on February 24, 1980. Although Finland was first to score, the U.S. won the game 4-2, taking the Olympic gold medal. Americans all across the country celebrated the victory. President Carter called to let the team know they made America proud. For several decades, American faced turmoil and suffering, but for one "miraculous day" the nation was able to celebrate a victory over the Soviets and not think about the economy or other problems.
