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FDA approves birth control pill
-kick-started sexual revolution that swept nation (60s known as decade of sex and peace)
-women free to pursue higher education and careers without fear of getting impregnated
-both genders experimented with drugs and sex -
Cuban Missile Crisis
-United States learned that Soviet missiles were in Cuba
-JFK ordered blockade of Caribbean nation in response
-Americans feared nuclear warfare
-compromise made for each country to deactivate some of missiles
-one of Cold War's most dangerous crisis was detered -
JFK's assassination
-JFK seemed like perfect president to lead United States through 60s
-hope broken when shot down by bullet
-assassinator murdered before going to trial-> conspiracy theories over decades to come
-shook America and was a sign for future instability -
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
-America did not want to see communism spread
-United States destroyer engaged in battle by naval units in north part of Vietnam
-Gulf of Tonkin Resolution passed and let American soldiers to take part in war -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
-civil rights movement grew through nonviolent protest
-African-Americans rewarded-> eliminated segregation, and opinionated voting requirements
-produced equality for minorities -
Assassinations of civil rights' leaders (Malcolm X)
-MLK and Malcolm X were very different
-both were cruelly assassinated at height of fame
-left civil rights movement in extreme crisis -
Assassinations of civil rights' leaders (MLK)
-MLK and Malcolm X were very different
-both were cruelly assassinated at height of fame
-left civil rights movement in extreme crisis -
Democratic National Convention
-protesters against war went to Chicago only to be caught by armed aggressive policemen
-footage quickly spread across evening news
-older generation found violence justified, where young'uns did not -
Tet Offensive
-Viet Cong soldiers attacked Saigon
-though invasion fought off, harsh truth was this was no simple war
-Americans became disgusted with war
-when Johnson chose to not to run for president again, future of America uncertain -
Woodstock
-Woodstock Festival combined liberal ideals of living freely and open drug use w/ soul and rock music of decade
-for a weekend, this group of people lived in peace, free from government intervention or taunting -
Apollo 11 lands on moon
-JFK declared in 1961 that America would put a man on the moon before decade's end
-sent Apollo 11 into space which took definite lead in space race
-United States future looked brighter