Essay On The 1960s

The United States owes quite a bit of its pride and merit to the decade of the 1960’s as change during that time was rife. Even though the decade began as a time of introspection, conservativism, and a general lack of purpose, times soon got busy with the Space Race, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights Movement. Today, two of the most remembered events of the 1960’s were Martin Luther King Jr.’s infamous speech and the moon landing.

During the March on Washington, America’s “stereotype of the Negro suffered a heavy blow.” For, few were able to fathom the African American population performing such a peaceful and respectful march for their rights. The march was also much of the United States’ first time to hear King speak. And,

At the beginning of the 1960’s, the United States was troubled because the Soviet Union had managed to send the Earth’s first artificial satellite into space. This action single-handedly set the United States up to pursue one of its most ambitious missions in history. Following Kennedy’s speech, assigning the United States the goal of sending a man to the moon before the decade was out, the United States set to work on outlining the mission. Miraculously, by 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first to step foot on the moon – followed by Buzz Aldrin. Their time spent on the moon was dedicated mostly to taking samples and setting up tools for scientific research. And, soon, they were off back again to Earth. After being excitedly greeted by the world, it became clear that America had emerged the victor of the Cold War, and therefore, a world leader in space and technology. The United States only reaffirmed its stand as a world power, and the dreams of many to reach the moon had finally become a reality. Science and technology became highly valued fields to study, and the 1960’s itself was remembered as the decade of space exploration. Nationalism peaked right after the mission came to a close, and the future was bright for