FARZANA Z. LINE

1960S

Soviets launch first man in space on April 12, 1961.

FIRST MAN IN SPACE!

On April 12, 1961, Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin, a 27-year-old test pilot and industrial technician became the first man to orbit the planet. This mission was accomplished within 1 hour and 48 minutes. This journey was guided by an automatic control system. This accomplishment of Soviet influenced United States to schedule its first space flight for May 1961. This created a great competition between U.S and Soviet in space (the space race).

1960S

The construction of Berlin Wall started on August 13, 1961.

THE BERLIN WALL

The Berlin Wall (or iron curtain) is the most tangible symbol of the Cold War. This wall was a boundary that divided West and East Berlin. This action prevented citizens in East Germany (communist) from fleeing to West Berlin (democratic capitalist). The Berlin Wall was officially built for "Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart“. The wall stood for nearly 30 years and many people died trying to cross the Berlin Wall.

1960S

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives his famous speech “I Have a Dream” on August 28, 1963.

I HAVE A DREAM

The famous speech by Dr. Martin Luther king was given on August 28, 1963. This famous speech was delivered to a massive group of civil rights marchers gathered around the Lincoln memorial in Washington DC. His brilliant speech had an impact on audience and future of America. “I have a Dream” completed definition of America by promoting equality among all races. It was a key to a more brighter and diverse future for America.

1960S

President John F. Kennedy gets assassinated on November 22, 1963.

JFK’S ASSASSINATION

It was the most shocking day for not just only Americans but the whole world. On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy’s assassination news was on the air. Within 99 minutes the nation had a new president. Vice president Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of office aboard Air Force. Later, a young sniper, Lee Harvey Oswald was found guilty.

1960S

On June 12, 1964, Nelson Mandela received a life sentence.

ONE MAN'S FIGHT FOR EQUALITY

Nelson Mandela was a leader in the African National Congress who fought against apartheid and made equality possible in South Africa. On June 12, 1964, Nelson Mandela received a life sentence for committing damage against South Africa’s apartheid government. He spent 27 years of his life in prison. However, even after years of suffering, he did not give up. The great Nelson Mandela was able to make equality possible in South Africa by the year 1994.

1960S

Malcolm X assassinated on February 21, 1965.

MALCOLM X’S ASSASSINATION

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was shot 21 times at an Organization of Afro-American Unity meeting. Malcolm X was an African American Muslim leader, minister, human rights activist, and a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam. He was threatened by Nation of Islam members for months before his death. Malcolm’s house was burned down, car was bombed, and even his wife received threats. Later it was discovered that he was assassinated by a member from Nation Of Islam.

1960S

On March 8, 1965, United States sends troops to Vietnam.

AMERICAN TROOPS IN VIETNAM

In response to the Gulf of Tonkin Incident of August 2 and 4, 1964, influenced U.S to send troops to Vietnam. President Lyndon B. Johnson and U.S congress decides to send troops to Vietnam. The president claimed that these troops were meant to stop the spread of communism. On March 8, 1965, America sends 3,500 U.S. Marines to Vietnam. They were the first American troops in Vietnam.

1960S

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong becomes the first man on the moon.

FIRST MAN ON THE MOON!

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong along with Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins landed on moon and made eveyone shocked. Their three-day journey to the moon, was called the Translunar (a spacecraft traveling between the earth and the moon). On July 19, at 1:28 p.m. EDT, Apollo 11 entered the moon's orbit. At 4:17 p.m. EDT on July 20, 1969, they landed on moon and proudly placed the American flag on the moon surface. This journey was a big step for all mankind.

1970S

On March 16, 1968, American soldiers accused of murdering entire town in Vietnamese civilians.

AMERICAN SOLDIERS ACCUSED OF MURDERING!

On March 16, 1968, American troops killed 500 unarmed men, women and children in the village of My Lai under the command of Lt. William L. Calley. On March 15, Ernest Medina of Charlie Company told his men that all civilians would leave the village except Vietcong soldiers and supporters. He also ordered them to burn down houses, poison wells and wipe out the rival. Next day, Lieutenant Calley’s 1st unit of Charlie Company led the attack on My Lai. However, they encountered no Vietcong soldiers instead found women and children. Later, they burned down houses and killed villagers. From his helicopter, Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson realized civilians were being killed, he landed on ditches and rescued some survivors.

1970S

The Watergate Scandal started on June 17, 1972.

THE WATERGATE SCANDAL

On June 17, 1972, some burglars were arrested for stealing secret documents and attempting to wiretap phones. This took place inside the office of the Democratic National Committee, located in the Watergate building. This incident was connected to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign. Nixon tried to cover it up by raising “hush money” for the burglars, trying to stop the (FBI) from investigating the incident, demolishing evidence and firing uncooperative staffs. August 1974, president Nixon resigned and vice president Gerald Ford became president and excused Nixon from all the crimes.

1970S

United States vice president, Spiro Agnew resigns on October 10, 1973.

AGNEW RESIGNS

Spiro Agnew was the second vice president of Untied states to resign. He served as vice president during president Nixon first term. He was accused of taking more than $100,000 in bribes. Agnew resigned on October 10, 1973 and then requested “no contest” (do not wish to face) to criminal charges of tax evasion. Agnew was fined $10,000 and received three years probation

1970S

On August 9, 1974, President Nixon resigns.

NIXON RESIGNS

President Nixon resign because he was involved in Watergate Scandal. On August 9, 1974, President Richard Nixon became the first United States president to resign. President Nixon was charged for abusing his Power; causing obstruction of Justice and contempt of congress. After his impeachment, Vice president Gerald Ford takes over. New president Ford excused Nixon from all the crimes he has committed.

1970S

United States pulls out of Vietnam on July 2, 1976.

VIETNAM WAR (1969-1975)

In 1969, U.S military reached 540,000 in South Vietnam. Nixon announced to reduce troops. By 1971 number of American military personnel in South Vietnam dropped to 160,000. On April 30, 1975 the South Vietnamese government surrendered. The same day ten Marines, the last Americans left Saigon, concluding the war. On July 2, 1976, the country was officially united as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

1970S

South African Anti-Apartheid leader Steve Biko tortured to death on 12 September 1977.

ANTI-APARTHEID CONTINUES

On 12 September 1977, Stephen Bantu Biko died in a prison cell in Pretoria. His death by the South African government sparks international and national protest. This caught attention of many South Africans and people around the world. Biko’s death shows the brutality of the security police during apartheid. Also shows the state's hand in covering up torture and abuse of political detainees.

1970S

Nuclear accident at Three Mile Island

NUCLEAR ACCIDENT AT THREE MILE ISLAND

In March 1979, Three Mile Island nuclear generating plant located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania faced an accident that affected the utility industry. Mechanical and human errors led to meltdown of the reactor core. Also released radioactive gases into the atmosphere. This incident did not cause any serious health issues. However, this led to shutdown of many plants. This incident probably influenced officials to stop construction of nuclear power plants in the United States.

1980S

New plague identified as AIDS

AIDS

Around the year 1980 to 1981, scientist discovered a new deadly disease. Doctors in U.S discovered that young gay men and IV-drug users, were unknowingly getting diseases. This disease is often seen when the immune system is damage. As time went more people specially in western Europe became infected by this disease. Later it was discovered that AIDS come from HIV which comes from monkeys.

1980S

On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride becomes the First American women in space.

FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE!

Sally Ride was an American physicist and astronaut. Sally joined NASA in 1978 and left her job in 1987. She was the first American woman in space. Ride remains the youngest American astronaut to have traveled to space. She made history on June 18, 1983 by being the first woman in space.

1980S

On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi gets killed.

INDIRA GANDHI'S ASSASSINATION

She was the central figure of the Indian National Congress party. Indira Gandhi was the 4th prime minister of India. She was also the 1st female prime minister of India. She was daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India. She was assassinated by her two bodyguards on 24 October, 1984.

1980S

On October 19, 1987, New York Stock Exchange suffers huge drop on “Black Monday.”

BLACK MONDAY

On October 19, 1987, stock markets around the world crashed in short amount of time. For other region such as Australia and New Zealand it was Black Tuesday because of time difference. This caused United States economy to slow down. The Black Monday decline remains the largest one-day percentage decline. After the stock market crash, a group of 33 economists from around the world met in Washington DC to discuss.

1980S

Berlin Wall Falls on November 9, 1989.

FALL OF BERLIN WALL

A new change took place when the head of the East German Communist Party announced that citizens of the German Democratic Republic could cross the border whenever they pleased. On November 9, 1989, over 2 million people from East Berlin went to West Berlin to celebrate. People used every possible way to knock away those walls that kept them apart for years. After the wall was gone, Berlin was united for the first time. East and West Germany officially became united on October 3, 1990.

1990S

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was freed.

NELSON MANDELA FREE AT LAST

Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid movement leader. After 27 years in jail, Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. He was released because of the new elected president of South Africa, F.W de Klerk. The new president disassembled apartheid. He also unbanned African National Congress and suspended executions. On May 9, 1994, Nelson Mandela was elected to be the first black president of South Africa.

1990S

Rwandan genocide begins on April 7th, 1994.

RWANDAN GENOCIDE

Rwandan genocide begins on April 7th, 1994. The genocide was planned by military, administrative, and political authorities. Militia set up roadblocks, killed opposition leaders and soldiers. Then militia were sent throughout the country to kill Rwandans. The Rwandan genocide targets Tutsis and moderate Hutus. By mid-July, about 500,000 to 1,000,000 Rwandans were killed.

1990S

On January 1, 1994, NAFTA was found.

NAFTA

NAFTA was found on January 1, 1994. NAFTA stands for the North American Free Trade Agreement. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. This is a trade deal between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This deal allows to remove almost all tariffs and trade restrictions between the three nations. NAFTA created the world’s largest free-trade zone.

1990S

Bill Clinton was impeached on December 19, 1998.

IMPEACHMENT OF BILL CLINTON

United states president Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representative on two charges: perjury (swearing false oath) and obstruction of justice. Bill Clinton was the second U.S president to be impeached. President Clinton had an extramarital affair with Monica Lewinsky, an unpaid intern in the White House. Later, this information was exposed by her Pentagon coworker. Then Clinton had go through a trial in which senate was split 50-50. After the trial, president Clinton apologized.

1990S

In 1998, India and Pakistan test nuclear weapons.

NUCLEAR WEAPON

In 1998, India conducted five underground nuclear tests, code-named "Shakti '98. Indian scientists, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is the father of Indian nuclear bomb. The same year, Pakistan conducted 6 tests. Dr. Qadeer Khan is the father of the Pakistani nuclear bomb. United Nation Security Council demanded India and Pakistan to avoid further nuclear tests, stop nuclear program and sign an agreement.

2000S

September 11th- Terror Attack hit US.

9/11

On September 11, 2001, 19 men involved with al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners. They carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the World Trade Center. The third plane hit the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. September 11, was the deadliest day for America.

2000S

United States launches war in Iraq.

IRAQ INVASION

On March, 2003 American, British, Australian, Polish, and Danish military combined went to Iraq for invasion. On April 9,U.S. forces occupied Baghdad. Ended Iraq's president Saddam Hussein's rule. Saddam Hussein was captured while hiding in a cellar. Later, Saddam Hussein was executed.

2000S

Saddam Hussein was executed on December 30, 2006.

SADDAM HUSSEIN

Saddam Hussein was President of Iraq from 16 July 1979 to 9 April 2003. He was captured on December 13, 2003 near Tikrit. He was found guilty by the Iraqi Special Tribunal for the murder of 148 Iraqi Shi'ites. Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging. On December 30, 2006 Saddam Hussein was executed.

2000S

Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan was assassinated on December 27, 2007.

ASSASSINATION OF BENAZIR BHUTTO Benazir Bhutto is daughter of Zulfikar

Ali Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan. She served twice as Pakistan’s Prime Minister. Bhutto was 11th Prime Minister of Pakistan. She’s Also the first and remains the only female prime minister of Pakistan. Benazir was assassinated on December 27, 2007.

2000S

Barack Obama became the first African American president on November 4, 2008.

THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT

President Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, to a Kenyan father and a white mother. Obama is the first to be born outside the continental United States. He became the fifth African American Senator on January 4, 2005. He resigned from Illinois senate in 2008 to run for presidential election. On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama became the first African American president.

BIBLIOGRAPHY McFarnon, Emma. "Is Martin Luther King’s ‘I

Have a Dream’ the Greatest Speech in History?” History Extra. 28 Aug. 2013. Web. 31 May 2015.

Staff, History.com. "9/11 Attacks." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010. Web. 31 May 2015.

Staff, History.com. "John F. Kennedy Assassinated." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 31 May 2015.

Staff, History.com. "President Clinton Impeached." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2009. Web. 31 May 2015.

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