60s
- Slavery had existed in the Americas for over 400 years. By 1960 slavery had been abolished for nearly 100 years. Another Civil Rights Movement would pick up again in the 50s leading into the 60s. This time they were hoping for the ability to vote and for places to be desegregated. This was all done through peaceful protests.
- Little Rock was one of the first schools to be desegregated with 9 students going to Little Rock. Many people met them with protest and the national guard had to be sent in in order to protect them.
- With many restaurants people would sit in and asked to be served however they would just be ignored and they would end up waiting until thrown out or arrested.
- MLK was the leader of the CRM who pushed for desegregation and for it to be done entirely nonviolently. Malcolm X wanted to be desegregated but for areas to be setup as well as violence in the case of self defense.
- In 1960 the youngest candidate runs for president and it is JFK. He ends up winning the election by a narrow margin. In 1961 with JFK's approval the Bay of Pigs invasion was on the South-West side of Cuba meant to overthrow Castro. This ultimately failed and strained US-Cuba relations.
- With the strained relations with Cuba things get even worse when the USSR puts nuclear missiles in Cuba. After 13 days of tense negotiation the USSR removes the missiles and a few months later the US removes missiles from Turkey
- LBJ would become president after JFK is assassinated. He would sign the Civil Rights bill as well as build the Peace Corps. He would declare a "war on poverty" and would challenge Americans to create a "great society." He would also pass the Voting Rights Act banning literacy tests.
- Thirteen days effectively goes over the Cuban Missile crisis with only minor historical flaws but is effective at showing viewers the mood of the time and events.