American Culture
1950s-2000s
Imagine the future generation opening a time capsule in 2055 and finding that it filled with images that symbolize the core values felt by American in the 1950s to the 2000s. They might notice that those values have remained a constant even though America has advanced over the decades. It’s remarkable how people still embrace these ideals and fight to instill them even as the world around them changes.
Freedom
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (1960s)
This law permanently ended segregation and ensured that employers could not discriminate against someone because of their race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement as it expanded certain freedoms to minority groups.
Image from http://quest.eb.com/
Operation Desert Storm (1990)
In August of 1990, the Iraqi army invaded the neighboring country of Kuwait. This prompted fears that Iraq would try to takeover Saudi Arabia and, in the process, control over one-fifth of the world’s oil export. President Bush sent troops to defend Saudi Arabia, and they bombed several military targets. With the American troops’ help, Kuwait was liberated months later and regained their freedom.
Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in Some States (2000s)
In the turn of the 21st century, the Gay Pride movement made some powerful strides. Although some states banned gay marriage altogether, many states began to pass laws in favor of same-sex marriage and expanded the freedom of marriage to people of the same-sex.
Progress
Desegregation in Schools Becomes Law (1950s)
Despite the "separate but equal" beliefs Americans held fast to, schools for white kids were distinctly better than schools for black kids. In 1954, the Supreme Court unanimously agreed with Brown v Board of Education and decides that separate schools are inherently unequal. This progress led to the eventual destruction of segregation as a whole.
Environmental Movement (1970s)
As environmental problems became more prominent and more dangerous, people began to worry about the future of their planet. The Environmental Movement made great progress by creating Earth Day to promote conservation and inform people about pollution and other environmental catastrophes .
Don't Ask, Don't Tell (1990s)
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law allowed gay people to serve in the military, but on the grounds that they couldn't be open about their sexuality. Although it granted some freedoms, it restricted others. The law was repealed years later, but the attention and anger that was generated from the ordeal helped the Gay Movement progress towards fixing other issues.
Science
Polio Vaccine (1950s)
Polio appeared in small, localized epidemics that affected and crippled mainly children. In 1953, Dr. Jonas Salk invented the cure for polio and began to administer vaccinations to his family. His development in science eliminated a deadly disease and saved many victims from its influences.
Apollo 11 (1960s)
During the Cold War, tensions between the U.S. and the USSR prompted a space race to prove the superiority of one another's technology. In 1969, the Apollo 11 touched down and became the first space flight to bring humans to the moon. The progress in science not only caused the U.S. to win the space race and develop a strong sense of patriotism but it also drew attention to the mystery that is space.
Rise of the Internet (1990s)
As the internet became globalized, the service became widely popular as people began to use it for communication and informational purposes. The progress in science rapidly changed how the world worked as people began to rely on it for news and shopping. In a few short years, the internet completely revolutionized American life and changed it for the better.
Works Cited
"1950s Video." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Top 10 Defining Moments of 1960s America." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Top 10 Defining Moments of 1970s America." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Top 10 Defining Moments of 1990s America." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
"Top 10 Defining Moments of 2000s America." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.