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Top 10 Defining Moments of 1960s America


it was a revolutionary time in the

it was a revolutionary time in the United States welcome to watchmojo.com

United States welcome to watchmojo.com

United States welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks

and today we’re counting down our picks

and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten defining moments in

for the top ten defining moments in

for the top ten defining moments in 1960s America our goal is not the

1960s America our goal is not the

1960s America our goal is not the victory of might but the vindication of

victory of might but the vindication of

victory of might but the vindication of right for this list we’ve chosen moments

right for this list we’ve chosen moments

right for this list we’ve chosen moments that we felt best represent this

that we felt best represent this

that we felt best represent this essential decade in American history and

essential decade in American history and

essential decade in American history and that influenced what came next whether

that influenced what came next whether

that influenced what came next whether it’s the evolution of rock music to

it’s the evolution of rock music to

it’s the evolution of rock music to increased free speech greater civil

increased free speech greater civil

increased free speech greater civil rights to a more cautious foreign policy

rights to a more cautious foreign policy

rights to a more cautious foreign policy the 60s shaped it all number 10 the gulf

the 60s shaped it all number 10 the gulf

the 60s shaped it all number 10 the gulf of tonkin resolution while social change

of tonkin resolution while social change

of tonkin resolution while social change preoccupied Americans war raged in

preoccupied Americans war raged in

preoccupied Americans war raged in Vietnam the Communist North had South

Vietnam the Communist North had South

Vietnam the Communist North had South Vietnam on the ropes and America had

Vietnam on the ropes and America had

Vietnam on the ropes and America had little desire to see communism spread in

little desire to see communism spread in

little desire to see communism spread in 1964 a US destroyer was engaged in

1964 a US destroyer was engaged in

1964 a US destroyer was engaged in battle by North Vietnamese naval units

battle by North Vietnamese naval units

battle by North Vietnamese naval units in a deliberate and unprovoked action

in a deliberate and unprovoked action

in a deliberate and unprovoked action three North Vietnam PT boats unleash a

three North Vietnam PT boats unleash a

three North Vietnam PT boats unleash a torpedo attack against the matter though

torpedo attack against the matter though

torpedo attack against the matter though the accuracy of these reports was

the accuracy of these reports was

the accuracy of these reports was questioned the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

questioned the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

questioned the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution soon passed allowing American soldiers

soon passed allowing American soldiers

soon passed allowing American soldiers to participate in the war controversy

to participate in the war controversy

to participate in the war controversy spread over the necessity of American

spread over the necessity of American

spread over the necessity of American participation dividing the country

what to do number nine Woodstock

what to do number nine Woodstock attitude rather stand up on neglected by

attitude rather stand up on neglected by

attitude rather stand up on neglected by a majority that didn’t understand them

a majority that didn’t understand them

a majority that didn’t understand them the counterculture took solace for three

the counterculture took solace for three

the counterculture took solace for three days in the fields of upstate New York

days in the fields of upstate New York

days in the fields of upstate New York 1969 s Woodstock Festival combined the

1969 s Woodstock Festival combined the

1969 s Woodstock Festival combined the liberal ideals of communal living free

liberal ideals of communal living free

liberal ideals of communal living free love and open drug use with the

love and open drug use with the

love and open drug use with the innovative rock and soul music of the

innovative rock and soul music of the

innovative rock and soul music of the time for one weekend this sect lived

time for one weekend this sect lived

time for one weekend this sect lived happily in peace free from government

happily in peace free from government

happily in peace free from government interference or ridicule

we’re number eight the assassinations of

we’re number eight the assassinations of civil rights leaders Malcolm X and

civil rights leaders Malcolm X and

civil rights leaders Malcolm X and Martin Luther King jr. shared little in

Martin Luther King jr. shared little in

Martin Luther King jr. shared little in common King was a steadfast devotee of

common King was a steadfast devotee of

common King was a steadfast devotee of peaceful integration Malcolm a fiery

peaceful integration Malcolm a fiery

peaceful integration Malcolm a fiery supporter of black supremacy

supporter of black supremacy

supporter of black supremacy unfortunately each man was coldly killed

unfortunately each man was coldly killed

unfortunately each man was coldly killed at peak popularity dr. Martin Luther

at peak popularity dr. Martin Luther

at peak popularity dr. Martin Luther King the apostle of non-violence in the

King the apostle of non-violence in the

King the apostle of non-violence in the civil rights movement has been shot to

civil rights movement has been shot to

civil rights movement has been shot to death in Memphis Tennessee losing such

death in Memphis Tennessee losing such

death in Memphis Tennessee losing such established leaders left the civil

established leaders left the civil

established leaders left the civil rights movement in dire straits led by

rights movement in dire straits led by

rights movement in dire straits led by fractured and unorganized groups it took

fractured and unorganized groups it took

fractured and unorganized groups it took years to regain the prominence of the

years to regain the prominence of the

years to regain the prominence of the early decade number seven the Cuban

early decade number seven the Cuban

early decade number seven the Cuban Missile Crisis with tensions high in the

Missile Crisis with tensions high in the

Missile Crisis with tensions high in the midst of the Cold War the United States

midst of the Cold War the United States

midst of the Cold War the United States learned of Soviet missiles in Cuba

learned of Soviet missiles in Cuba

learned of Soviet missiles in Cuba something had to be done so President

something had to be done so President

something had to be done so President Kennedy ordered a blockade of the

Kennedy ordered a blockade of the

Kennedy ordered a blockade of the Caribbean nation the halt of this

Caribbean nation the halt of this

Caribbean nation the halt of this offensive build-up a strict quarantine

offensive build-up a strict quarantine

offensive build-up a strict quarantine on all offensive military equipment

on all offensive military equipment

on all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba is being

under shipment to Cuba is being

under shipment to Cuba is being initiated for 13 days nuclear warfare

initiated for 13 days nuclear warfare

initiated for 13 days nuclear warfare seemed all too possible and Americans

seemed all too possible and Americans

seemed all too possible and Americans lived in fear fortunately an agreement

lived in fear fortunately an agreement

lived in fear fortunately an agreement was struck for each country to

was struck for each country to

was struck for each country to deactivate some of its missiles and the

deactivate some of its missiles and the

deactivate some of its missiles and the Cold War’s most dangerous crisis was

Cold War’s most dangerous crisis was

Cold War’s most dangerous crisis was averted not peace at the expense of

averted not peace at the expense of

averted not peace at the expense of freedom but both peace and freedom

freedom but both peace and freedom

freedom but both peace and freedom number six the 1968 Democratic National

number six the 1968 Democratic National

number six the 1968 Democratic National Convention how this got started we don’t

Convention how this got started we don’t

Convention how this got started we don’t know tensions came to a head in the

know tensions came to a head in the

know tensions came to a head in the summer of 68 at the Democratic National

summer of 68 at the Democratic National

summer of 68 at the Democratic National Convention anti-war protestors rushed to

Convention anti-war protestors rushed to

Convention anti-war protestors rushed to Chicago only to be greeted by the clubs

Chicago only to be greeted by the clubs

Chicago only to be greeted by the clubs and mace of aggressive police officers

and mace of aggressive police officers

and mace of aggressive police officers mr. chairman Colorado rises to a point

mr. chairman Colorado rises to a point

mr. chairman Colorado rises to a point of information is there any rule under

of information is there any rule under

of information is there any rule under which Mayor Daley can be compelled to

which Mayor Daley can be compelled to

which Mayor Daley can be compelled to suspend the police state terror

suspend the police state terror

suspend the police state terror perpetrated this minute

new stations were quick to capture the

new stations were quick to capture the footage transmitting it across the

footage transmitting it across the

footage transmitting it across the evening news Young Liberals and the

evening news Young Liberals and the

evening news Young Liberals and the counterculture were disgusted while the

counterculture were disgusted while the

counterculture were disgusted while the older generation found the violence

older generation found the violence

older generation found the violence justified a generation Gulf remained

justified a generation Gulf remained

justified a generation Gulf remained Chicago just happened to be the city it

Chicago just happened to be the city it

Chicago just happened to be the city it would have been impossible hold it

would have been impossible hold it

would have been impossible hold it anywhere because the Democratic Party

anywhere because the Democratic Party

anywhere because the Democratic Party has blood on its hands

has blood on its hands

has blood on its hands number five the FDA approves the birth

number five the FDA approves the birth

number five the FDA approves the birth control pill first introduced in 1960

control pill first introduced in 1960

control pill first introduced in 1960 the birth control pill kick-started a

the birth control pill kick-started a

the birth control pill kick-started a sexual revolution that swept the nation

sexual revolution that swept the nation

sexual revolution that swept the nation unburdened by the threat of unplanned

unburdened by the threat of unplanned

unburdened by the threat of unplanned pregnancies women were free to pursue

pregnancies women were free to pursue

pregnancies women were free to pursue higher education and careers while both

higher education and careers while both

higher education and careers while both sexes experimented with sex and drugs

sexes experimented with sex and drugs

sexes experimented with sex and drugs this gave birth to a counterculture the

this gave birth to a counterculture the

this gave birth to a counterculture the tested social mores and the limits of

tested social mores and the limits of

tested social mores and the limits of American democracy throughout the decade

American democracy throughout the decade

American democracy throughout the decade but this period of peace and love was

but this period of peace and love was

but this period of peace and love was temporary number four Apollo 11 lands on

temporary number four Apollo 11 lands on

temporary number four Apollo 11 lands on the moon

the moon

the moon long before the heartache of the late

long before the heartache of the late

long before the heartache of the late decade the u.s. engaged in a frantic

decade the u.s. engaged in a frantic

decade the u.s. engaged in a frantic space race with the Soviet Union in 1961

space race with the Soviet Union in 1961

space race with the Soviet Union in 1961 President Kennedy boldly declared that

President Kennedy boldly declared that

President Kennedy boldly declared that America would put a man on the moon

America would put a man on the moon

America would put a man on the moon before decades end we choose to go to

before decades end we choose to go to

before decades end we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other

the moon in this decade and do the other

the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy but

things not because they are easy but

things not because they are easy but because they are hard

because they are hard

because they are hard America delivered by sending Apollo 11

America delivered by sending Apollo 11

America delivered by sending Apollo 11 in July 1969 taking a decisive lead in

in July 1969 taking a decisive lead in

in July 1969 taking a decisive lead in the race the footage of the landing

the race the footage of the landing

the race the footage of the landing became legendary and the country’s

became legendary and the country’s

became legendary and the country’s future looked brighter upon all ships

future looked brighter upon all ships

future looked brighter upon all ships per man

gorgeous deities prevail

gorgeous deities prevail number three the Tet Offensive as 1968

number three the Tet Offensive as 1968

number three the Tet Offensive as 1968 began the Vietnam War seemed a certain

began the Vietnam War seemed a certain

began the Vietnam War seemed a certain success for America but this illusion

success for America but this illusion

success for America but this illusion was quickly destroyed the enemy very

was quickly destroyed the enemy very

was quickly destroyed the enemy very deceitfully has taken advantage of the

deceitfully has taken advantage of the

deceitfully has taken advantage of the Tet truth during a holiday ceasefire

Tet truth during a holiday ceasefire

Tet truth during a holiday ceasefire Viet Cong soldiers shockingly attacked

Viet Cong soldiers shockingly attacked

Viet Cong soldiers shockingly attacked the South Vietnamese capital Saigon

the South Vietnamese capital Saigon

the South Vietnamese capital Saigon though the invasion was fought off the

though the invasion was fought off the

though the invasion was fought off the harsh truth was obvious this was no

harsh truth was obvious this was no

harsh truth was obvious this was no simple war troop morale fell and

simple war troop morale fell and

simple war troop morale fell and Americans became disgusted with the war

Americans became disgusted with the war

Americans became disgusted with the war President Johnson chose not to run for

President Johnson chose not to run for

President Johnson chose not to run for re-election and the future seemed

re-election and the future seemed

re-election and the future seemed uncertain I do not believe that I should

uncertain I do not believe that I should

uncertain I do not believe that I should devote an hour or day of my time to any

devote an hour or day of my time to any

devote an hour or day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any

personal partisan causes or to any

personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of

duties other than the awesome duties of

duties other than the awesome duties of this office number two the Civil Rights

this office number two the Civil Rights

this office number two the Civil Rights Act of 1964 throughout the late 50s and

Act of 1964 throughout the late 50s and

Act of 1964 throughout the late 50s and early 60s the civil rights movement grew

early 60s the civil rights movement grew

early 60s the civil rights movement grew through nonviolent protest and civil

through nonviolent protest and civil

through nonviolent protest and civil disobedience with events like the march

disobedience with events like the march

disobedience with events like the march on Washington taking center stage long

on Washington taking center stage long

on Washington taking center stage long denied their equal rights

denied their equal rights

denied their equal rights african-americans were finally rewarded

african-americans were finally rewarded

african-americans were finally rewarded through the Civil Rights Act of 1964

through the Civil Rights Act of 1964

through the Civil Rights Act of 1964 eliminating segregation and biased

eliminating segregation and biased

eliminating segregation and biased voting requirements the Act set off a

voting requirements the Act set off a

voting requirements the Act set off a landslide of change that slowly produced

landslide of change that slowly produced

landslide of change that slowly produced equality for minorities this purpose is

equality for minorities this purpose is

equality for minorities this purpose is not to punish this purpose is not to

not to punish this purpose is not to

not to punish this purpose is not to divide but to end divisions number one

divide but to end divisions number one

divide but to end divisions number one JFK’s assassination a young and

JFK’s assassination a young and

JFK’s assassination a young and charismatic leader John F Kennedy seemed

charismatic leader John F Kennedy seemed

charismatic leader John F Kennedy seemed the perfect president to lead America

the perfect president to lead America

the perfect president to lead America through the 60s ask not what your

through the 60s ask not what your

through the 60s ask not what your country can do for you at what you can

country can do for you at what you can

country can do for you at what you can do for your country

do for your country

do for your country these hopes were shattered when he was

these hopes were shattered when he was

these hopes were shattered when he was shot down by a sniper’s bullet in 1963

shot down by a sniper’s bullet in 1963

shot down by a sniper’s bullet in 1963 from Dallas Texas the flash apparently

from Dallas Texas the flash apparently

from Dallas Texas the flash apparently official President Kennedy died at 1:00

official President Kennedy died at 1:00

official President Kennedy died at 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time though Lee

p.m. Central Standard Time though Lee

p.m. Central Standard Time though Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the crime

Harvey Oswald was arrested for the crime

Harvey Oswald was arrested for the crime he was murdered before going to trial

he was murdered before going to trial

he was murdered before going to trial leading to endless conspiracy theories

leading to endless conspiracy theories

leading to endless conspiracy theories over the following decades regardless of

over the following decades regardless of

over the following decades regardless of the motive or perpetrator President

the motive or perpetrator President

the motive or perpetrator President Kennedy’s assassination shook the

Kennedy’s assassination shook the

Kennedy’s assassination shook the country and signaled the coming

country and signaled the coming

country and signaled the coming instability do you agree with our list

instability do you agree with our list

instability do you agree with our list which events do you think defined 1960s

which events do you think defined 1960s

which events do you think defined 1960s America and beyond for more informative

America and beyond for more informative

America and beyond for more informative top 10s be sure to subscribe to

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top 10s be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com I thanks to all of you and

watchmojo.com I thanks to all of you and

watchmojo.com I thanks to all of you and Alex on to Chicago and let’s win there

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