I am a child of the '60's.
To understand the 1960's, you must back up a decade or so. Adults living in the 1950's were both excited and frightened. They were excited that they had survived the hardships of World War II.
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| War | Number Serving | Battle Deaths | Disease & Accidents | Wounded | Total Casualties |
| Revolutionary War | NA | 4,435 | NA | 6,188 | NA |
| War of 1812 | 286,730 | 2,260 | NA | 4,505 | NA |
| Mexican War | 78,718 | 1,733 | 11,550 | 4,152 | 17,435 |
| Civil War | 2,213,363 | 140,414 | 224,097 | 281,881 | 646,392 |
| Spanish-American War | 306,760 | 385 | 2,061 | 1,662 | 4,108 |
| World War I | 4,743,826 | 53,513 | 63,195 | 204,002 | 320,710* |
| World War II | 16,353,659 | 292,131 | 115,185 | 670,846 | 1,078,162 |
| Korean War | 5,764,143 | 33,651 | NA | 103,284 | NA |
| Vietnam War | 8,744,000 | 47,369 | 10,799 | 153,303 | 211,147 |
| Persian Gulf War | 467,539 | 148 | 145 | 467 | 760 |
But, they were frightened by something called COMMUNISM!
The Korean War in the early 1950's instilled more fear of what COMMUNISTS could do.
A new term, the "Cold War" was used to describe the political tension between the United States and its allies (friendly countries) and the Soviet Union and its allies. It was called "cold" because the 2 sides didn't fight each other directly. Troops were used to support the 2 sides in Korea and Vietnam.
The decade of the 1960's started with the election of a young, handsome, heroic war veteran who was going to lead the United States of America into a bold, new era.
And then, on November 22, 1963, the nation was stunned by the assassination of our beloved leader. I was 6 years old.
As you learn about history, remember that the events you learn about don't happen in a straight line. As fear of communism and more war grew in the 1950's, so did feelings among black people that it was time for a change.
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| Rosa Parks sat down in 1955. |
The Greensboro 4 sat down in 1960.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke these words 3 months before President Kennedy's death.
So, we have the Cold War and Civil Rights, but what about hippies? Everyone knows the '60's were all about hippies, right? You can thank hippies for much of your fashion today. Blue jeans, tie-dye and peace signs!
Why did hippies dress this way? To show that they were TOTALLY different from the older generation.
Older generation Ms. Reed Me
In 1965, the U. S. government started drafting 33,000 young men, ages 18 to 25, a month to fight in Vietnam. Being drafted meant you joined the Army,whether you wanted to or not. It caused protests, draft card burnings and "draft dodgers" moving to Canada.
It was unheard of to say "NO" to your government. Hippies were so new and unusual, the musical group The Grateful Dead were shown on the evening news.
turbulent: definition -
characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not controlled or calm.
The 1960's are often referred to as
the "turbulent '60's".
In addition to protests against the Vietnam War, there were Civil Rights protests and Women Rights protests.
Heavyweight boxer Cassius Clay joined the nation of Islam (and changed his name to Muhammad Ali). He refused to be drafted because of his religious beliefs and opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War. He was arrested and convicted of draft evasion.
1968 was a particularly difficult year.
Two assassinations shocked our nation.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy (Pres. Kennedy's brother) were killed in April and June of 1968.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy (Pres. Kennedy's brother) were killed in April and June of 1968. 
Several thousand anti-war protesters filled the streets of Chicago during the
Democratic National Convention.
1968 ended with Apollo 8 successfully orbiting the moon.
Seven months later, Apollo 11 landed the 1st humans on the moon.
In May of 1970, I was in 7th grade in Kent, Ohio. We had a bomb threat at our school and were bussed home early. I saw helicopters over head and tanks in my town. Students were rioting on the Kent State University campus. National Guardsmen were sent to control the crowds.
Four students were killed and nine were injured. 
The 1960's brought new and exciting products including:
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