Key Events and Policies of the 1960s

Peace Corps

To promote world peace and friendship by providing volunteer assistance to developing countries.

Missile Gap

The perceived superiority of the number and power of the USSR's missiles compared to the US's.

New Frontier

President Kennedy's domestic policy agenda aimed at addressing social, economic, and technological challenges.

Test Ban Treaty

A treaty signed in 1963 that prohibited nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space, and underwater.

Head Start

To provide early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families.

War on Poverty

A set of programs introduced by President Johnson to reduce poverty in the United States.

VISTA

Volunteers in Service to America, a national service program designed to fight poverty.

Great Society

President Johnson's set of domestic programs aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare provides health insurance for people aged 65 and older, while Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income individuals and families.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

A federal agency responsible for national policies and programs that address America's housing needs.

Flexible Response

A defense strategy implemented by Kennedy to address the Kennedy administration's skepticism of Eisenhower's New Look and its policy of massive retaliation.

Warren Court

The Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren, known for its activism in the areas of civil rights and free speech.

La Brigada

A group of Cuban exiles trained by the CIA to invade Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Neil Armstrong

The first person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

John Glenn

The first American to orbit the Earth in 1962.

Fidel Castro

The communist leader of Cuba who came to power in 1959.

Bay of Pigs invasion

A failed invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles supported by the US government in 1961.

Berlin Wall

A wall built by East Germany in 1961 to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Berlin.

Lee Harvey Oswald

The assassin of President John F. Kennedy.

EXCOMM

The Executive Committee of the National Security Council, which advised President Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Lyndon Johnson

The 36th President of the United States, who succeeded Kennedy after his assassination.

Jack Ruby

The man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald.

Warren Commission

The commission established to investigate the assassination of President Kennedy.

Camelot

A term used to describe the Kennedy administration, evoking the idealism and glamour associated with the mythical King Arthur's court.

Barry Goldwater

A conservative senator from Arizona who ran for president in 1964.

Jacqueline Kennedy

The wife of President John F. Kennedy and First Lady of the United States.

Space Race

The competition between the US and the USSR to achieve significant milestones in space exploration.

Elections of 1960 and 1964

The 1960 election marked the first televised presidential debates, while the 1964 election saw a landslide victory for Johnson.

Equal Pay Act

A law passed in 1963 aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on gender.

Kennedy's Legacy

The lasting impact of Kennedy's policies and vision, including the promotion of civil rights, space exploration, and international peace.