Historical Events 1950-1970

Historical Events 1961-1965

1961- In 1961 Yuri Gagarin did an incredible thing. He was the first man to have ever orbit space in a spacecraft. He was also the first man to actually travel into space. His Vostok spacecraft completed an orbit in April 12, 1961. In his post-flight report he had recalled his experience in space. He said, "The feeling of weightlessness was somewhat unfamiliar compared with Earth conditions. Here, you feel as if you were hanging in a horizontal position in straps. You feel as if you are suspended." His Vostok spacecraft is now actually displayed. It is displayed at the RKK Energiya Museum outside of Moscow. 1962- During the year of 1962 it was the Cuban Missile Crisis. This was part of the Cold War and had occurred from October 14 through November 20,1962. There were three results from this. First, the withdrawal of the Soviet's Union's nuclear missiles from Cuba. Second, withdrawal of the United State nuclear missiles from Turkey. Third and finally, was the creation of a nuclear hotline between Washington DC and Moscow. During this, one aircraft was shot down, another was damaged and a pilot of killed. 1963- A tragic death happened on 1963 and the person that died was John F. Kennedy. He was the president starting from 1960 and just after 3 years later he was killed. The way he was killed was that he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. He was shot once on the back and once in the head and was declared dead. He was actually the first president to have died the youngest because he was only 46 when this happened. His death became an important events of U.S. history because of the impact on the nation and political ways Another thing that happened in 1963 was that Martin Luther King Jr's I Have A Dream speech was delivered to thousands of people. It was delivered on August 28, 1963 and the speech lasted to 17 minutes. This speech described how racial discrimination should be ended. This speech was told to over 200,000 people and it brought a really important memory to everyone. Martin Luther King Jr. was named "Man Of The Year" by "TIME Magazine" in 1963 also. 1964- Since John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Lyndon B. Johnson was re-elected in 1964. He was actually one of the four people to be served in all elected offices. This means was Representative, Senator, Vice President and President. Lyndon B. Johnson also introduced the "War of Poverty." It was proposed by John F. Kennedy in 1960. He died on January 22, 1973 at the age of 64 because he suffered a heart attack.		1965- During the year of 1965 the Great Society Legislation was introduced. It was started by president Lyndon B. Johnson. There were two major goals for the Great Society Legislation. The first goal was to try to end poverty. The second goal was to also end racial injustice. The Great Society Legislation wasn't that much discussed. Mainly the Civil Rights Act in 1964 were discussed. Another thing that 1965 was the voting rights act. it was known as a landmark piece of national legislation in the United States. The main purpose was to try to allow African Americans to vote. The voting rights act was signed by president Lyndon B. Johnson who also signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. The bill passed the senate on May 28, 1965 by a voting count on May 25. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Act into law with Martin Luther King Jr. Rosa Parks and other civil right leaders. This video talks about Lyndon B. Johnson's idea for the "War of Poverty." It describes on how The Great Legislation will be handled and who he worked with. He wanted to try to show how he can end poverty. During the video you will see some of the speeches he said that inspired to so many people and gave hope to them. Lyndon B. Johnson wanted to give children an education and help to make a difference. He never forgot the idea that he had. He wanted to give an opportunity to give people a home, an education, clothes and everything necessary needed to people.

Historical Events 1950-1970

Historical Events 1961-1965