The 1960s and 1970s

Election of John F. Kennedy (1960), offering a new hope and vigour with his New Frontier Program, a series of domestic and foreign policy initiatives.
The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) brings the world to the brink of nuclear war, resulting in the establishment of the Moscow-Washington hotline and leading to a period of détente.
Key civil rights milestones include the March on Washington (1963) where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I have a dream” speech.
Assassination of John F. Kennedy (1963) shocks the nation and brings Lyndon B. Johnson to presidency.

Johnson’s Great Society policies (1964-1965) aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice. This included the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Massive escalation of the Vietnam War under Johnson’s presidency provokes nationwide anti-war protests.
Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965) pass, ending racial segregation and discrimination.
Riots in major cities and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 marked a violent period for the Civil Rights Movement.

Election of Richard Nixon (1969), promising to restore law and order and to end the war in Vietnam.
Reach of détente in the early ’70s led to Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and agreements, marking a thaw in the Cold War.
Watergate scandal (1972-1974) leads to the resignation of Nixon, the only president to ever resign.
After Nixon’s resignation, Gerald Ford becomes president, issuing a controversial pardon to Nixon.
Election of Jimmy Carter (1976), focusing on human rights in his foreign policy.
Economic troubles of the ’70s, including stagflation and an energy crisis, challenge the American dream.