President Nixon begins “Vietnamization” to disengage US from Vietnam War, but combat continues. Peace talks break down. Nixon goes on TV to ask the “silent majority” to support his policies. A draft lottery begins for military service in Viet Nam.
In Vietnam: the battle of Khe Sanh leads to Tet Offensive by the Viet Cong. North Vietnam and Laos (secretly) heavily bombed by U.S. My Lai Massacre by American troops undermines support for the U.S. efforts. Many violent anti-war demonstrations.
Canada begins a year-long celebration of British North American Act, featuring the Expo 67 World’s Fair. DeGaulle proclaims “Long Live Free Quebec” to English displeasure.
In the Six-Day war with the Arab nations, Israel gains land and unifies Jerusalem, but increases regional enmity and causes many refugees.
China’s “Cultural Revolution” leads to mass executions and displacement of millions as urban populations are sent to labor in rural communes. It paralyzes China politically and economically.
American military initiates a “Search and Destroy” strategy in Vietnam combat.
In his first State of the Union address, Lyndon Johnson announces US will conduct “A War on Poverty.” In November he defeats Conservative Republican Barry Goldwater in presidential election.
24th Amendment of the Constitution abolishes poll tax; Civil Rights Act passes in Congress.
In January, Alabama Governor George Wallace proclaims “…segregation now…tomorrow…forever!” During April and May, in Birmingham, Martin Luther King, Jr., other black leaders and demonstrators, many children, are arrested.
In October, a two-week Cuban Missile Crisis ends as Kennedy announces that Khrushchev will remove Soviet missiles in Cuba. Linus Pauling is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his campaign against nuclear weapons testing.
President Eisenhower, in a farewell address, warns of the increasing power of an American “military-industrial complex”.
John Kennedy inaugurated as president. In March, he establishes the Peace Corps. In April, he allows the “Bay of Pigs” invasion of Cuba which fails at the cost of many Cuban lives.
