Appendix 12: Events of Significance, 1961-1965

1961

John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as President of the US, January 20
Enovid 5 mg approved for contraceptive use, February 15
Cuba invaded at Bay of Pigs, April 12, crushed by April 17
Alan B. Shepard, Jr., suborbital launch, May 5

1962

John H. Glenn, Jr., first American to orbit earth, February 20
Marilyn Monroe Dies August 5
Cuban missile crisis, August to November
James H. Meredith registers at University of Mississippi, October 1
Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring”

1963

Harold Hughes, Governor of Iowa (1963-1969)
First artificial heart implanted by Michael DeBakey, April 21
Supreme Court rules no required religious recitation in public schools, June 17
Martin Luther King delivers “I have a dream speech”, Washington, DC, August 28
John F. Kennedy assassinated, Dallas, Texas, November 22
Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed by Jack Ruby, November 24
Betty Friedan publishes “The Feminine Mystique”

1964

Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination in employment, voter registration, and public accommodations.
Three episodes of the “Beverly Hillbillies” rate in the top 50 single shows in TV history
Warren report issued on assassination of President Kennedy
The Beatles first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, February 16
Schwerner, Goodman and Cheney murdered in Mississippi, June
Gulf of Tonkin resolution approved by Congress, August 7
Lyndon Johnson elected President, November

1965

Selma march led by Martin Luther King, Jr., February 1
Malcolm X shot to death, New York City, February 21
American combat troops entered the Vietnam War
“Unsafe at Any Speed” published by Ralph Nader
Gemini 3 orbited the earth 3 times, first American Mult-person crew, June 3
Medicare begins, July 1