1961-1969

"Learn how the United States ended up fighting for twenty years in a remote country on the other side of the world. Five US presidents were convinced that American troops could end a war in the small, divided country of Vietnam and stop Communism from spreading in Southeast Asia. But they were wrong, and the result was the death of 58,000 American troops. Presenting all sides of a complicated and tragic chapter in recent history, Jim O'Connor explains why the US got involved, what the human cost was, and how defeat in Vietnam left a lasting scar on America"--Provided by publisher.

Examines the development of manned space flight in the United States after, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy anounced his goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade; and discusses the development of NASA, and the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects that allowed astronauts to travel beyond Earth's orbit to the moon and return safely.

Looks at the events surrounding two extremely dangerous spy missions conducted by air pilots Chuck Maultsby and Rudy Anderson during the Cuban Missile Crisis for President John F. Kennedy.

"Discusses the main concerns of the protest movements of the 1960s, and how those have evolved since; what's changed for the better, what might be worse, and where do we go from here"--Amazon.com.

At the beginning of 1965, the U.S. seemed on the cusp of a golden age. Americans had been shocked by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 but they still exuded a sense of consensus and optimism. Political liberalism and interracial civil rights activism made it appear as if 1965 would find America more progressive and unified than it had ever been before. In 1965 President Johnson succeeded in getting passed through Congress legisation that included Medicare, immigrantion reform, and a powerful Voting Rights Act. But 1965 also ushered in the birth of the tumultuous era we now know as "the Sixties" when American society and culture underwent a major transformation. Civil Rights and voting rights demonstrators were attacked, black leaders were questioning whether non-violent protest was effective, and the Vietnam War escalated. As the mood darkened, the country became deeply divided.

The King Years delivers riveting tales of everyday heroes who achieved miracles in constructive purpose and yet poignantly fell short. Here is the full sweep of an era that still reverberates in national politics. Its legacy remains unsettled; there are further lessons to be discovered before free citizens can once again move officials to address the most intractable, fearful dilemmas. This vital primer amply fulfills its author?s dedication: ?For students of freedom and teachers of history.?.

Stories, songs, and crafts help young viewers understand the history, meaning, and observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.