The 1960s was an indescribable decade when so many important dates occurred, great inventions were made, new fashions and fads were introduced, and much more. It was an era of evolution.
During the 1960s, America was in the Vietnam War, which would soon become the only war that America lost. Also, during this time, John F. Kennedy was President of the United States, in 1961. Kennedy wanted to send a man to the moon and later sent Neil Armstrong to the moon. Armstrong soon became the first man to walk on the moon. This record inspired the Space Age, where people were inspired to dress up futuristically. One essential event was Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which inspired America to eliminate segregation between the African-American people and the Caucasians. John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Many inventions were created during the 1960s. The laser was improved in 1961, used in printers, hospitals, communication, and much more. The Internet, still an essential invention to us today, was invented in this decade as well. Costing $2,500, the first hand-held calculator was made. Fiber optics was created, as well as computer mice.
The music of the 1960s is probably one of the most remembered from that decade. Elvis Presley, King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, just came back from the army. Artists like Bob Dylan, James Brown, the Temptations, and much more. The legendary rock band, the Rolling Stones, was very popular worldwide during the ‘60s. Psychedelic rock appealed to hippies. But most importantly, a new generation of music spread to the world when the Beatles, an English rock band that consisted of four people. The Beatles were increasingly popular, creating 12 albums in 7 years. In the late 1960s, synthesizers were created, so more sound effects were put into music.
Since the baby boomers of America were just becoming teenagers, the 1960s was filled with young people who lead the fashion. The fashion during the 1960s started out as dark, dull, and army-inspired. Later, boutique shops began to sell brightly colored, cheap clothing. People, both men and women, grew their hair longer. The men grew their hair down to their shoulders and proudly bore thick facial hair. In the earlier years of the decade, beehives, a hairstyle for women, were popular. Men wore plaid shirts. Also, America would try to follow whatever fashion the Beatles introduced to the world. Bright mini skirts with neon tights and shiny vinyl clothing was popular for the female population. Bright clothes for male also dominated the clothing stores. In the later ‘60s, hippies, people who were fond of peace, happiness and love, wore their hair very long, wore floor-length skirts and decorated clothing. Space Age clothing was popular, as well. Barbie dolls were created and became a big hit, and so did G.I. Joe action figures. The skateboard was invented and became very popular.
The 1960s is an outstanding decade full of many historical events, inventions, and much more. It is a decade that will never be forgotten.
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