Several significant events trailed the fifties, sixties and seventies which was the era of the baby boomers.
Some of these events were very key in defining not only the boomer’s generations, it was equally significant in world history. In this article, we will look at some of the key events that defined the boomer’s generation
The Start of the Civil Rights Movement
Racism was quite the wave in the years before the baby boomers. However, the events of December 1, 1955 sparked the commencement of the civil rights movements.
The blacks decided to take initiative and stand against racism. This was a defining moment for the boomers generation and the world.
John F. Kennedy became President
It was also in the baby boomer era that John F Kennedy became the youngest person to be elected as President of the United States of America.
The election which took place in 1960 was contested by Richard Nixon who was the incumbent Vice President and John F. Kennedy a sitting Senator.
The Berlin Wall was built
The Cold War was another significant event in the boomer generation. The Berlin wall which separated East Berlin from West Berlin was built in 1961.
The construction of the wall commenced on August 13, 1961. It symbolizes the Cold War which lasted through the boomer generation.
The Famous Martin Luther King’s Speech “I Have a Dream” was Delivered
The boomer generation witnessed Martin Luther King organize a freedom walk in Washington. The walk gathered about 250,000 people with Martin Luther King at the lead.
It was during this walk that the famous speech of Martin Luther King was made. The speech that still resonates with several activists up to this day.
The Assassination of John F. Kennedy
This generation saw John F Kennedy become President, unfortunately, it also saw him get assassinated.
The President was killed on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. This was a sad ending to the incredible story of John F Kennedy who was the youngest person to become President.
The Enactment and Signing of the Civil Rights Act
It was during the boomer generation that the fight against racism gained a remarkable victory. The Civil Rights Act was signed following numerous protests and demonstrations against racism.
The Act prohibited segregation and discrimination which were rampant and open in that era. The Act was signed in 1964 by President Lyndon B Johnson.
The Assassination of Martin Luther King
Another significant death that shook this era was the assassination of Martin Luther King. He was shot dead on April 4, 1968 following his prominent role in leading several protests against racism.
A day before, Martin Luther King made a speech which seemed to predict his death. His death was very significant to this era and it was surely a defining moment as it led to a domino effect on several things.
Baby Boomers were Drafted into the War
The war in Vietnam also took place in this era. According to several reports, a percentage of about forty percent of the males in the boomer generation participated in this war.
The effect of this war was quite devastating on the boomer generation. Many never returned home from the war and those who returned never remained the same.
Man Landed on the Moon
Away from the sad events, a significant breakthrough in man’s attempts to go to space was made on July 20, 1969.
The first men who landed on the moon were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the crew of the famous Apollo II. It was a huge step for the human race and kickstarted the huge success recorded now in man’s attempts to visit space.
Technological Developments
The baby boomers witnessed the steady development of technology. There was immense development in technology during this era.
Steve Jobs and Bill Gates were among those who perfected their craft during this generation. They led the series of developments in technology around this period.
Kent State Shootings
Demonstrations were quite rampant during the boomer era. An aftermath of one of these demonstrations was the Kent State shootings of 1970.
There was a demonstration against the Vietnam War, it however turned bloody when the National Guard was called in to calm things down. Four students were killed by the National Guard in the course of this demonstration.
Final Words
Several events shaped the boomer generation to become one of the most significant generations in history. This generation fought a lot of battles, results of which are being enjoyed in the present times.
The boomer generation will surely go down as one of the eras where important strides were taken.
