Original subtitles

[CHEERING]

Narrator: THIS IS THE STORY OF AMERICA...

SEEN IN COLOR FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AMERICA IS IN THE THROES OF A REVOLUTION.

IT'S THE SWINGING '60s.

NEW PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY USHERS IN A NEW ERA.

John F. Kennedy: I DON'T WANT THE TALENTS OF ANY AMERICAN

TO GO TO WASTE.

Narrator: MARTIN LUTHER KING LEADS A CIVIL RIGHTS BATTLE

THAT PROMISES EQUALITY FOR ALL.

Martin Luther King: OUR NATION CAN SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

TO PUT GOD'S CHILDREN ON THEIR OWN TWO FEET.

[APPLAUSE]

Narrator: IT'S A DECADE THAT PLAYS OUT

ON NATIONAL TELEVISION.

A WAR IN VIETNAM...

AN INVASION FROM BRITAIN...

Fan: I WANNA KISS ONE OF THEM. I LOVE 'EM.

Narrator: A GENERATION EMBRACES LOVE AND PEACE.

[RUMBLING]

AND AN AMERICAN IS THE FIRST TO WALK ON THE MOON.

[BEEP] Neil Armstrong: HOUSTON...

Narrator: A DECADE OF TURMOIL BRINGS HARD-WON TRIUMPHS.

Armstrong: TRANQUILITY BASE HERE.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED.

Narrator: THIS IS THE STORY OF THE 1960s,

AS YOU'VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.

*

[GIRLS SCREAMING]

*

John F. Kennedy: I WANT US TO RECAPTURE THAT.

*

Narrator: JULY 1960.

THE COMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CONTRASTS TWO DIFFERENT VISIONS.

[CHEERING]

THE REPUBLICAN, VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON,

IS PROMISING TO CONTINUE THE SECURITY AND PROSPERITY

OF THE GOLDEN '50s.

Richard Nixon: ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE,

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT LEADERS WHO WILL KEEP THE PEACE

WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR AMERICA AND THE WORLD.

Narrator: THE DEMOCRATS CHOOSE A FORWARD-LOOKING YOUNG SENATOR

FROM MASSACHUSETTS...

JOHN F. KENNEDY.

* KENNEDY, KENNEDY, KENNEDY, KENNEDY *

* KENNEDY, KENNEDY, KENNEDY FOR ME *

* KENNEDY, KENNEDY, KENNEDY, KENNEDY *

Kennedy: I BELIEVE WE CAN GET THIS COUNTRY MOVING AGAIN.

I ASK YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 8th.

* DO YOU WANT A MAN FOR PRESIDENT *

* WHO SEES IT THROUGH AND THROUGH... *

Narrator: AT 43, JFK IS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST MEN

TO EVER RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

* A MAN WHO'S OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW *

* AND YOUNG ENOUGH TO DO

Narrator: HIS HIP APPROACH TO CAMPAIGNING

INJECTS A NEW ENERGY TO POLITICS.

Kennedy: I COME TO THE BRONX AS AN OLD BRONX BOY.

I USED TO LIVE IN THE BRONX.

[CHEERING]

Narrator: BUT THE HANDSOME YOUNG SENATOR HAS A LOT TO OVERCOME.

VOTERS ARE UNAWARE HE SUFFERS FROM ADDISON'S,

A DEBILITATING AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE.

HE'S ALSO HAD TWO MAJOR SPINAL SURGERIES

AND FREQUENTLY NEEDS A BACK BRACE.

KENNEDY IS IN CONSTANT PAIN.

BUT THE KENNEDY CAMPAIGN HAS A PLAN

TO SELL HIM TO THE COUNTRY.

NOW 90% OF U.S. HOUSEHOLDS OWN A TELEVISION.

Howard K. Smith: GOOD EVENING.

THE TELEVISION STATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES

ARE PROUD TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR A DISCUSSION OF ISSUES

BY THE TWO MAJOR CANDIDATES FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

Narrator: ON SEPTEMBER 26, 1960, 70 MILLION PEOPLE TUNE IN

TO AMERICA'S FIRST TELEVISED PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

Kennedy: I'M NOT SATISFIED UNTIL EVERY AMERICAN

ENJOYS HIS FULL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

Narrator: JFK IS PREPPED FOR HIS TELEVISION APPEARANCE.

THE DAY BEFORE, HE MET WITH PRODUCERS

AND DISCUSSED CAMERA ANGLES.

HE LOOKS TANNED AND GLOWING.

Kennedy: I DON'T WANT THE TALENTS OF ANY AMERICAN

TO GO TO WASTE.

Narrator: HE IS WEARING A BLUE SUIT AND SHIRT

TO REDUCE GLARE AND STAND OUT AGAINST THE GRAY BACKDROP.

Richard Nixon: MR. SMITH, SENATOR KENNEDY.

THERE IS NO QUESTION...

Narrator: NIXON LOOKS EXHAUSTED.

HE'S STRAIGHT FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

AND IS RECOVERING FROM THE FLU.

HE ALSO HAS A KNEE INJURY...

MAKING HIM APPEAR UNCOMFORTABLE AND SHIFTY.

Smith: I WONDER IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN THAT, SIR.

Nixon: THERE IS NO QUESTION

BUT THAT WE CANNOT DISCUSS OUR INTERNAL AFFAIRS

IN THE UNITED STATES

WITHOUT RECOGNIZING THAT THEY HAVE A TREMENDOUS BEARING

ON OUR INTERNATIONAL POSITION.

Narrator: HIS GRAY SUIT AND PALE FACE

APPEAR TO BLEND INTO THE SET.

Smith: ...CAMPAIGN ISSUE. I'D LIKE TO FOLLOW...

Narrator: THE VISUAL CONTRAST BETWEEN THE MEN DAMAGES NIXON.

Smith: ...OR COMMENT UPON ONE ANOTHER'S ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

Narrator: VIEWERS THINK KENNEDY HAS THE EDGE,

EVEN THOUGH RADIO LISTENERS HAVE THE OPPOSITE IMPRESSION.

[CHEERING]

DURING THE DEBATE, KENNEDY'S ON-CAMERA PERFORMANCE

MAKES HIM LOOK LIKE A LEADER.

AND ALL DOUBTS ABOUT HIS YOUTH ARE FORGOTTEN.

STUDIES WILL LATER SHOW THAT THIS DEBATE

MADE UP THE MINDS OF FOUR MILLION VOTERS--

THREE MILLION VOTE FOR KENNEDY.

[CHEERING]

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1960, IS ELECTION DAY

AND IN SOME PLACES A HOLIDAY TO ENCOURAGE VOTING.

68 MILLION AMERICANS GO TO THE POLLS.

NIXON AND HIS WIFE PAT VOTE

IN THE SMALL TOWN OF WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA.

KENNEDY AND JACKIE VOTE IN BOSTON.

[PEOPLE TALKING]

IN THE EVENING, AS THE POLLS CLOSE,

THE TV NETWORKS PREPARE TO BRING VIEWERS THE RESULTS.

IN TIMES SQUARE,

THE FAMED NEWS-FLASHING TICKER UPDATES THROUGH THE NIGHT.

THOUGH THE TALLIES ARE CLOSE,

A CONFIDENT KENNEDY GOES TO BED TO AWAIT THE OUTCOME.

Crowd: WE WANT KENNEDY! WE WANT KENNEDY!

WE WANT KENNEDY!

Narrator: DAWN BREAKS.

JFK WINS WITH 303 ELECTORAL VOTES TO NIXON'S 219.

[APPLAUSE]

Kennedy: TO ALL AMERICANS I SAY

THAT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS ARE GOING TO BE

DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING YEARS FOR US ALL.

THE ELECTION MAY HAVE BEEN A CLOSE ONE,

BUT I THINK THAT THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT

BY ALL OF OUR CITIZENS

THAT A SUPREME NATIONAL EFFORT

WILL BE NEEDED IN THE YEARS AHEAD

TO MOVE THIS COUNTRY SAFELY THROUGH THE 1960s.

SO NOW MY WIFE AND I PREPARE FOR A NEW ADMINISTRATION

AND FOR A NEW BABY.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

Narrator: THE YOUNG COUPLE MOVE INTO THE WHITE HOUSE,

AND IN LESS THAN FIVE MONTHS, A NEW CAR IS DELIVERED.

A FORD LINCOLN CONTINENTAL--

ORIGINAL PRICE TAG, $7,347.

THE PRESIDENT LOVES CONVERTIBLES;

THEY ALLOW PEOPLE TO SEE HIM.

BUT THIS LINCOLN HAS $200,000 WORTH OF MODIFICATIONS--

A BUBBLETOP IN CASE IT RAINS...

TWO-WAY RADIO TELEPHONES, RETRACTABLE STEPS

AND GRAB-HANDLES FOR SECRET SERVICE AGENTS.

PAINTED MIDNIGHT BLUE TO STAND OUT WELL

ON BLACK AND WHITE NEWS FOOTAGE...

IT WILL TRAVEL AMERICA WITH JFK.

THE IMAGE OF HIM IN HIS LINCOLN

IS ONE OF A RELAXED LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD.

[APPLAUSE]

BUT IN HIS FIRST SPEECH TO CONGRESS

ON MAY 25, 1961,

JFK REITERATES THE COMMUNIST INTIMIDATION

THAT STILL LOOMS OVER AMERICA.

Kennedy: IF WE ARE TO WIN THE BATTLE

THAT IS NOW GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD

BETWEEN FREEDOM AND TYRANNY...

I BELIEVE THAT THIS NATION SHOULD COMMIT ITSELF

TO ACHIEVING THE GOAL, BEFORE THIS DECADE IS OUT,

OF LANDING A MAN ON THE MOON

AND RETURNING HIM SAFELY TO THE EARTH.

Narrator: KENNEDY IS DETERMINED TO ULTIMATELY BEAT

THE SOVIET UNION IN THE SPACE RACE.

BUT SO FAR THE RUSSIANS HAVE THE EDGE.

[RUMBLING]

THEY WERE THE FIRST TO LAUNCH A SATELLITE INTO SPACE...

THE FIRST TO ORBIT A MAN AROUND THE EARTH...

AND THEY HAVE STOCKPILES OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS--

A DARK THREAT THAT LOOMS OVER AMERICA IN 1961.

Reporter: WHAT IS YOUR MAIN CONCERN? IS IT THE FALLOUT?

Man: PRIMARILY THE FALLOUT.

Woman: WELL, I'M AFRAID IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS

TO THE CIVILIZATION.

Man: IT'S TAKING THE CHANCE AWAY FROM THEM

TO LIVE UP AND BE NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS.

[JET ROARING]

Narrator: ON OCTOBER 14, 1962, A UNITED STATES U2 SPY PLANE

PHOTOGRAPHS MISSILES AND LAUNCHERS IN CUBA.

THE WEAPONS ARE SOVIET AND CAN CARRY NUCLEAR WARHEADS.

CUBA'S COMMUNIST LEADER FIDEL CASTRO HAS ALLIED HIMSELF

WITH PREMIER NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV OF THE SOVIET UNION.

FOR SEVEN DAYS IN SECRET MEETINGS,

THE PRESIDENT WEIGHS THE OPTIONS--

AN ALL-OUT INVASION OF CUBA...

AIRSTRIKES ON MISSILE TARGETS...

OR A NAVAL QUARANTINE.

HE OPTS FOR THE QUARANTINE.

ON OCTOBER 22nd,

KENNEDY FINALLY INFORMS THE NATION OF THE CRISIS

AND HIS PLAN TO HANDLE IT.

Kennedy: GOOD EVENING, MY FELLOW CITIZENS.

THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THESE NEW MISSILE SITES

INCLUDE MEDIUM-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILES...

CAPABLE OF STRIKING WASHINGTON, DC,

OR ANY OTHER CITY

IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES.

IT SHALL BE THE POLICY OF THIS NATION

TO REGARD ANY NUCLEAR MISSILE LAUNCHED FROM CUBA

AGAINST ANY NATION IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

AS AN ATTACK BY THE SOVIET UNION ON THE UNITED STATES,

REQUIRING A FULL RETALIATORY RESPONSE UPON THE SOVIET UNION.

Narrator: IT IS NOW A GAME OF POLITICAL MIGHT

BETWEEN THE YOUNG PRESIDENT AND THE STEELY SOVIET LEADER.

BOTH HAVE MILITARY ARSENALS

CAPABLE OF OBLITERATING THE OTHER.

CASUALTY ESTIMATES ARE OVER 100 MILLION.

AMERICAN CITIZENS WATCH

AS THE BEACHES OF KEY WEST AND SOUTHERN FLORIDA

BECOME THE FRONT LINE OF DEFENSE.

RAZOR WIRE AND MISSILES

TAKE THE PLACE OF BEACH TOWELS AND CABANAS.

AMERICA MOVES THE CLOSEST IT HAS EVER COME TO NUCLEAR WAR.

OCTOBER 23, 1962.

NINE DAYS SINCE AMERICA DISCOVERED

SOVIET NUCLEAR MISSILES IN CUBA.

TO PREVENT WAR,

PRESIDENT KENNEDY AND PREMIER KHRUSHCHEV

EXCHANGE WRITTEN DEMANDS BY TELEGRAM.

IN THE ATLANTIC, THE U.S. NAVY STOPS ALL SOVIET SHIPPING

TO ENSURE NO MORE WEAPONS ARE DELIVERED TO CUBA.

RECONNAISSANCE PLANES CAPTURE IMAGES OF SOVIET VESSELS.

INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS PORE OVER THEM, LOOKING FOR WEAPONS.

BENEATH THE WAVES,

SOVIET NUCLEAR SUBMARINES AWAIT ORDERS TO FIRE.

THE U.S. TRAINS MISSILES ON CUBA.

AFTER 13 DAYS, KHRUSHCHEV BACKS DOWN.

HE AGREES TO REMOVE THE MISSILES

IN RETURN FOR KENNEDY'S PLEDGE NOT TO INVADE CUBA.

KENNEDY ALSO AGREES, IN SECRET,

TO REMOVE U.S. NUCLEAR MISSILES FROM TURKEY.

PRESS SECRETARY PIERRE SALINGER

PRESENTS KENNEDY'S STATEMENT TO THE WORLD.

Pierre Salinger: I WELCOME CHAIRMAN KHRUSHCHEV'S

STATESMAN-LIKE DECISION TO STOP BUILDING BASES IN CUBA.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AND CONSTRUCTIVE

CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE.

[BAND PLAYING]

Narrator: THE WORLD BREATHES A LITTLE EASIER

AS THE AMERICAN MILITARY RETURNS HOME

FROM A WAR THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

NONETHELESS, A REVOLUTION IS COMING TO AMERICA,

TRIGGERED NOT BY FOREIGN ENEMIES,

BUT BY HATRED WITHIN.

Woman and children: ROLL 'EM UP, ROLL 'EM UP,

PUT 'EM IN A PAN.

SOME LIKE IT HOT, AND SOME LIKE IT COLD.

Narrator: AFRICAN AMERICANS, SINCE THE END OF SLAVERY,

HAVE BEEN TREATED IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY

AS A DESPISED MINORITY.

* OH, WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN *

Narrator: THEY ARE FORCED TO EAT AND USE BATHROOMS

SEPARATELY FROM WHITES.

* WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN *

Narrator: JAMES FARMER IS THE FOUNDER

OF THE CONGRESS OF RACIAL EQUALITY,

KNOWN AS CORE.

James Farmer: IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND

HOW ANY NEGRO FEELS UNDER SEGREGATION,

YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT FROM THE TIME OF INFANCY

HE HAS IT POUNDED INTO HIM

THAT HE IS NOT AS GOOD AS OTHER PEOPLE.

THERE ARE THINGS HE CANNOT DO--

DON'T DO THIS, YOU CAN'T DO THIS,

YOU CAN'T DO THE OTHER.

IT BUILDS INTO A MAN A FEELING OF INFERIORITY,

A FEELING OF FRUSTRATION, A FEELING OF RESENTMENT.

Narrator: JAMES FARMER AND CORE WANT KENNEDY TO UNDERSTAND

THAT SEGREGATION STAINS AMERICA'S IMAGE

AROUND THE WORLD.

CORE WANTS TO TEST A SUPREME COURT RULING,

LONG IGNORED IN THE SOUTH,

THAT BANS SEGREGATION IN INTERSTATE TRAVEL.

THE PLAN IS FOR BLACK AND WHITE VOLUNTEERS

TO RIDE TOGETHER ON BUSES...

JOURNEYS THAT CORE CALLS FREEDOM RIDES.

THE RIDERS COMMIT THEMSELVES TO NONVIOLENCE.

Man: I WANT YOU TO THINK IT OVER VERY CAREFULLY,

AND IF YOU FEEL THAT...

Narrator: BELIEVING THAT CHALLENGING SEGREGATION PEACEFULLY

WILL FORCE THE AUTHORITIES TO ACT.

Man: WE WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU EMBARK

UPON THIS DANGEROUS, WORTHWHILE, SIGNIFICANT MISSION.

Narrator: CORE PREPARES THE RIDERS

FOR THE RACIAL HATRED THEY CAN EXPECT.

Man: HEY, YOU, YOU, NIGGER--

YOU HEAR WHAT THAT MAN SAID? YOU HEAR WHAT THAT MAN SAID?

AND YOU, YOU GET BACK THERE, GET BACK THERE...

GET BACK, GET BACK, GET BACK.

EXCUSE ME.

[SLAPPING]

HEY!

COME ON!

COME ON, GET BACK.

Narrator: ON MAY 4, 1961, JAMES FARMER LEADS 13 PEOPLE,

BLACK AND WHITE, ONTO BUSES IN WASHINGTON, DC,

BOUND FOR NEW ORLEANS.

TEN DAYS LATER THE BUS ENTERS ALABAMA...

HOME TO THE LARGEST KKK ORGANIZATION IN AMERICA.

THEY KNOW THE RIDERS ARE COMING.

IN ANNISTON, THE KLAN SURROUNDS THE BUS, SLASHING ITS TIRES.

PHOTOGRAPHER JOE POSTIGLIONE CAPTURES THESE IMAGES.

THE CRIPPLED GREYHOUND TRIES TO ESCAPE,

BUT A FEW MILES OUT OF TOWN,

THE KLAN SURROUNDS AND FIREBOMBS IT...

[GLASS BREAKING, SCREAMING]

WITH THE RIDERS STILL INSIDE.

[SCREAMING, FLAMES CRACKLING]

THE FREEDOM RIDERS DO ESCAPE THE BUS...

ONLY TO BE BEATEN BY THE KLAN.

JOE'S PHOTOS BRING THE FREEDOM RIDES

TO INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION.

[SINGING AND CLAPPING]

OVER THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS,

400 VOLUNTEERS RIDE THROUGH THE SOUTHERN STATES.

[SINGING AND CLAPPING]

THE ATTACKS CONTINUE.

DESPITE BREAKING NO FEDERAL LAWS,

RIDERS ARE ARRESTED ON TRUMPED-UP CHARGES,

SIMPLY FOR USING SEGREGATED FACILITIES.

WITH THE NATION AND THE WORLD WATCHING THE FREEDOM RIDES,

JFK'S BROTHER, ATTORNEY GENERAL ROBERT KENNEDY, STEPS IN.

HE ORDERS THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON INTEGRATION

TO BE ENFORCED EVERYWHERE.

Kennedy: I THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE BELIEVE

THAT EVERYONE WHO TRAVELS FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY TRAVEL

SHOULD ENJOY THE FULL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS

GIVEN TO THEM BY THE LAW.

Narrator: AFTER NEARLY A CENTURY,

THE SIGNS IN THE SOUTH START COMING DOWN.

WHITES-ONLY TOILETS, DRINKING FOUNTAINS,

WAITING ROOMS, ALL START TO BE INTEGRATED.

IT'S A MAJOR VICTORY FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT...

BUT IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.

IN THE SOUTH, DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AFRICAN AMERICANS

REMAINS INGRAINED.

Woman: OUR MANAGEMENT DOES NOT ALLOW US

TO SERVE NIGGERS IN HERE.

Narrator: A YEAR LATER,

SEGREGATION IS STILL FIRMLY IN PLACE IN ALABAMA.

THE NEW DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, GEORGE WALLACE,

RESOLUTELY RESISTS RACIAL CHANGE.

HE MAKES A DEFIANT PLEDGE

IN HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS IN JANUARY 1963.

George Wallace: SEGREGATION NOW, SEGREGATION TOMORROW,

AND SEGREGATION FOREVER.

[CHEERING]

Narrator: BUT AFRICAN AMERICANS IN ALABAMA

HAVE HAD ENOUGH.

IN SPRING 1963, IN THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY, BIRMINGHAM,

THEY STAGE NONVIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS.

WALLACE RESPONDS; PROTESTS ARE BANNED;

THOSE ARRESTED FORCED TO PAY HIGH BAIL.

THEN, AMERICA'S MOST PROMINENT CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER

COMES TO BIRMINGHAM.

* LET'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

* LET'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM *

* LET'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, FREEDOM, FREEDOM *

Narrator: APRIL 12th, GOOD FRIDAY,

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AND RALPH ABERNATHY

LEAD A MARCH FROM THE 16th STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.

* I DO BELIEVE

* HE SHALL SEE US THROUGH

* SOMEDAY

Narrator: THEY ARE ARRESTED.

IT IS HERE THAT KING PENS

HIS NOW CELEBRATED LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL,

DEFENDING THE RESISTANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS.

IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, HE WRITES...

"INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE."

THE LETTER BECOMES A TOUCHSTONE FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

HE IS RELEASED ON BOND A WEEK LATER.

[SINGING]

THE BIRMINGHAM CAMPAIGN CONTINUES.

[SIREN]

ON MAY 3rd, LOCAL NEWS ANCHOR HARRY MABRY

USES HIS HOME MOVIE CAMERA

TO CAPTURE THIS NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN FOOTAGE.

HE IS FILMING AS THE POLICE

TURN DOGS AND FIRE HOSES ON THE PROTESTORS.

[DOGS BARKING]

KENNEDY SENDS 3,000 FEDERAL TROOPS

TO BIRMINGHAM TO RESTORE ORDER.

GOVERNOR WALLACE BITTERLY RESENTS

FEDERAL INTERVENTION IN HIS STATE.

ON JUNE 11, 1963, HE STANDS IN THE DOORWAY

OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

TO PHYSICALLY STOP BLACK STUDENTS FROM ENTERING.

WALLACE IS CHALLENGING A SUPREME COURT RULING

THAT STRUCK DOWN SCHOOL SEGREGATION

NINE YEARS EARLIER.

THE POWERS OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS COLLIDE

ON NATIONAL TELEVISION.

Wallace: ...DO HEREBY DENOUNCE AND FORBID

THIS ILLEGAL AND UNWARRANTED ACTION

BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

Narrator: DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL NICHOLAS KATZENBACH,

REPRESENTING THE KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION,

ATTEMPTS TO ENFORCE THE LAW.

Nicholas Katzenbach: THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE,

PROTECTED BY THAT COURT ORDER.

I'LL ASK YOU ONCE AGAIN WILL YOU GIVE ME THE ASSURANCE

THAT YOU WILL STEP ASIDE AND PEACEFULLY DO YOUR DUTY.

VERY WELL.

Narrator: KATZENBACH RETREATS TO MAKE A CALL TO JFK.

KENNEDY'S RESPONSE

IS TO IMMEDIATELY FEDERALIZE THE ALABAMA NATIONAL GUARD

AND ORDER THEM TO REMOVE THEIR OWN GOVERNOR.

Man: AND IT'S MY SAD DUTY TO ASK YOU TO STEP ASIDE

UNDER THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

Narrator: THE TWO BLACK STUDENTS,

JAMES HOOD AND VIVIAN MALONE, ENTER AND BEGIN THEIR EDUCATION.

THE IMMENSE NATIONAL ATTENTION

BROUGHT BY THE ESCALATING CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

PUSHES KENNEDY TO TAKE AN HISTORIC STEP.

HE DELIVERS THIS SPEECH THE DAY THE BLACK STUDENTS ARE ADMITTED.

Kennedy: I HOPE THAT EVERY AMERICAN,

REGARDLESS OF WHERE HE LIVES,

WILL STOP AND EXAMINE HIS CONSCIENCE

ABOUT THIS AND OTHER RELATED INCIDENTS.

THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLE

THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.

NEXT WEEK I SHALL ASK

THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ACT,

TO MAKE A COMMITMENT IT HAS NOT FULLY MADE IN THIS CENTURY

TO THE PROPOSITION THAT RACE HAS NO PLACE

IN AMERICAN LIFE OR LAW.

Narrator: JFK WANTS TO BAN RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

IN SCHOOLS, WORKPLACES AND PUBLIC FACILITIES--

THE BOLDEST CIVIL RIGHTS LAW EVER ATTEMPTED.

*

TWO MONTHS LATER, JFK'S OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER, CECIL STOUGHTON,

CAPTURES A RELAXED PRESIDENT AND HIS FAMILY

OFF THE COAST OF MASSACHUSETTS.

JACKIE IS NEARLY EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT WITH THEIR SON PATRICK.

JUST DAYS AFTER THIS FOOTAGE IS TAKEN,

HE IS BORN PREMATURELY AND DOESN'T SURVIVE.

A GRIEF-STRICKEN JFK

THROWS HIMSELF BACK INTO THE BATTLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.

* FREEDOM, FREEDOM

* FREEDOM, FREEDOM, FREEDOM

AUGUST 28, 1963, THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON--

THE LARGEST DEMONSTRATION EVER SEEN IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL.

ON THE STEPS OF THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL,

KING TELLS 250,000 PEOPLE THAT HE HAS A DREAM...

AND CALLS FOR THE END OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION...

JUSTICE FOR ALL.

KENNEDY'S CIVIL RIGHTS BILL IS NOW BEFORE CONGRESS--

HISTORIC CHANGE IS WITHIN HIS REACH.

BUT TO MAKE IT LAST, HE'LL NEED TO WIN RE-ELECTION.

HE NEEDS TO EASE TENSION WITH SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS,

IN STATES LIKE TEXAS,

WHERE CIVIL RIGHTS REFORMS ARE STILL UNPOPULAR.

IN NOVEMBER HE PLANS A 2-DAY, 5-CITY TOUR OF THE STATE.

JFK AND HIS WIFE LAND IN DALLAS, TEXAS,

AT 11:30 A.M., NOVEMBER 22, 1963.

[CHEERING]

IT'S JACKIE'S FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE

SINCE THE LOSS OF HER BABY.

THE PRESIDENTIAL LIMOUSINE SS-100-X IS THERE TO GREET THEM

AND TAKE THEM THE 10 MILES THROUGH TOWN

TO THE TRADE MART,

WHERE THE PRESIDENT WILL SPEAK AT A LUNCHEON.

DESPITE A FORECAST OF RAIN,

KENNEDY WANTS THE BUBBLETOP TO BE OPEN.

[CROWD CHEERING]

HOME MOVIES AND TV CAMERAS CAPTURE THE EXCITEMENT.

THOUSANDS LINE THE ROUTE.

A RADIO NEWSMAN REPORTS LIVE.

Reporter: THE PRESIDENT'S CAR IS NOW TURNING ONTO ELM STREET,

AND IT WILL BE ONLY A MATTER OF MINUTES

BEFORE HE ARRIVES AT THE TRADE MART.

I WAS ON STEMMONS FREEWAY EARLIER,

AND EVEN THE FREEWAY WAS JAMPACKED WITH SPECTATORS

WAITING THEIR CHANCE TO SEE THE PRESIDENT

AS HE MADE HIS WAY TOWARDS THE TRADE MART.

[GUNSHOT]

IT, IT, IT APPEARS AS THOUGH SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED

IN THE MOTORCADE ROUTE.

SOMETHING, I REPEAT, HAS HAPPENED IN THE MOTORCADE ROUTE.

[SCREAMING]

*

*

Narrator: NOVEMBER 22, 1963.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, NETWORK TELEVISION IS INTERRUPTED.

Walter Cronkite: HERE IS A BULLETIN FROM CBS NEWS.

FIRST REPORTS SAY THAT PRESIDENT KENNEDY...

Narrator: CAUGHT OFF GUARD, IT TAKES CBS NEWS SIX MINUTES

TO GET THEIR CAMERAS ON THE AIR.

Cronkite: THIS IS WALTER CRONKITE IN OUR NEWSROOM, AND...

THERE HAS BEEN AN ATTEMPT, AS PERHAPS YOU KNOW NOW,

ON THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY.

Narrator: AN HOUR LATER,

WALTER CRONKITE BREAKS THE NEWS TO THE NATION.

Cronkite: FROM DALLAS, TEXAS, THE FLASH APPARENTLY OFFICIAL,

PRESIDENT KENNEDY DIED AT 1 P.M. CENTRAL STANDARD TIME,

2 O'CLOCK EASTERN STANDARD TIME, SOME 38 MINUTES AGO.

Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME, A NATIONAL TRAGEDY

IS REPORTED LIVE ON TV.

WITHIN TWO HOURS,

92% OF AMERICANS KNOW THEIR PRESIDENT IS DEAD.

Man: IT'S A STATE OF UNBELIEF.

NOBODY QUITE BELIEVES EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENED.

Woman: I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE SADDEST THINGS

THAT'S EVER HAPPENED.

Man: FOR ME IT'S A SHOCK, A DISGRACE FOR THE WHOLE NATION.

IT'S A LOSS THAT I FEEL THAT WE WILL FEEL FOR SOME TIME.

*

Narrator: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25th, JFK IS LAID TO REST...

WITH MILLIONS BEARING WITNESS AROUND THE WORLD.

*

[APPLAUSE]

PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON

PLEDGES TO CONTINUE WHAT KENNEDY STARTED.

Lyndon Johnson: NO MEMORIAL ORATION OR EULOGY

COULD MORE ELOQUENTLY HONOR PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S MEMORY

THAN THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE PASSAGE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL

FOR WHICH HE FOUGHT SO LONG.

[APPLAUSE]

Narrator: THE GRIEVING NATION SUPPORTS JOHNSON.

THE NEW PRESIDENT OVERCOMES

A 75-DAY FILIBUSTER BY SOUTHERN SENATORS.

ON JULY 2, 1964,

THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT BECOMES LAW.

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN SCHOOLS, EMPLOYMENT,

OR PUBLIC PLACES IS NOW ILLEGAL.

*

ON FEBRUARY 7, 1964,

PAN AM YANKEE CLIPPER FLIGHT 101 ROLLS IN TO JFK AIRPORT.

*

ON BOARD ARE FOUR MUSICIANS FROM LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

*

3,000 AMERICAN FANS HAVE TURNED OUT TO GREET THE BEATLES.

Paul McCartney: I'M PAUL, RINGO, GEORGE, AND JOHN.

Reporter: CAN WE HAVE THE LAST ONE?

Paul: JOHN. Ringo: JOHN.

Paul: JOHN. JOHN.

*

Narrator: THEIR SINGLE "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND"

HAS JUST HIT THE TOP OF THE AMERICAN CHARTS...

WHERE IT WILL STAY FOR SEVEN WEEKS.

Ringo: IT'S NOT TRUE! [LAUGHTER]

Narrator: THEIR BRITISH HUMOR CHARMS THE HORDES OF REPORTERS.

Reporter: DO YOU PLAN TO GET A HAIRCUT AT ALL?

Ringo: NO. Paul: NO.

John: NO, THANKS. George: I HAD ONE YESTERDAY.

[LAUGHTER]

Ringo: AND THAT'S NO LIE. IT'S TRUE.

Narrator: THEIR MOD SUITS AND BOWL HAIRCUTS

GIVE THEM A REBELLIOUS LOOK.

THEY'RE ADORED BY THE GIRLS.

Fan: I WANNA KISS ONE OF THEM. I LOVE 'EM.

Narrator: BOYS ARE EQUALLY ENRAPTURED

BY THIS NEW SOUND AND STYLE.

ON FEBRUARY 9th, HUNDREDS LINE UP

TO SEE THE BEATLES ON THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW...

AND MORE THAN 73 MILLION TUNE IN TO WATCH.

THEY PLAY CONCERTS IN WASHINGTON, NEW YORK AND MIAMI

BEFORE RETURNING HOME ON FEBRUARY 22nd.

THE BEATLES EMBODY THE YOUTH REVOLUTION

SPREADING ACROSS AMERICA.

*

A NEW GENERATION IS PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES

OF CULTURE, SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY.

THE BABY BOOMERS ARE GROWING UP

AND IN 1964 ARE THE BENEFICIARIES

OF AN ECONOMIC BOOM.

MORE THAN 32 MILLION FAMILIES, 60% OF THE COUNTRY,

OWN THEIR OWN HOME AND AT LEAST ONE CAR.

*

BUT THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS

ARE SHUNNING THIS CONSUMER LIFESTYLE.

A COUNTER CULTURE IS EMERGING...

AND ITS NUCLEUS IS IN CALIFORNIA.

IT OPPOSES POLITICAL AND SOCIAL NORMS--

BELIEVING PEACE, LOVE AND PERSONAL FREEDOM

CAN SOLVE THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS.

A BOLD BELIEF, AS CALIFORNIA IN 1965

IS THE COUNTRY'S SECOND MOST POPULATED STATE...

WITH LOS ANGELES THE MOST CROWDED CITY

AND ONE OF THE MOST RACIALLY DIVERSE.

DECADES OF IMMIGRANTS FROM ASIA, LATIN AMERICA

AND THE INTERNAL MIGRATION

OF AFRICAN AMERICANS FROM THE SOUTH

MAKES L.A. A MELTING POT OF CULTURE.

JUST 5,000 POLICE OFFICERS

PATROL THIS 400-SQUARE-MILE CITY.

THIS TRAINING VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS THE NEW TACTICS THEY ADOPT.

Film narrator: THE SURPRISE APPEARANCE

OF A SPECIALLY EQUIPPED, DISCIPLINED POLICE UNIT

EARLY IN THE ACTION

WILL OFTEN BE SUFFICIENT TO DOMINATE THE SITUATION.

*

[SHOUTING]

[SCREAMING]

[THUMP]

Film narrator: YOU CAN USUALLY RELY ON THE PROGRESSIVE EMPLOYMENT

OF YOUR RIOT FORMATIONS, THE BATON, SMOKE AND TEAR GAS

TO BREAK UP MOST CIVIL DISTURBANCES.

[SCREAMING AND SHOUTING]

Narrator: BUT THAT TOUGHNESS COMES AT A COST--

INCREASED TENSION WITH MINORITY GROUPS.

COMPLAINTS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

AND POLICE BRUTALITY GROW.

Man: JUST STOPPING US ON THE STREET,

KICKING IN THE DOORS, TAKING YOU DOWN THE POLICE STATION

AND KICKING YOUR TEETH IN.

Narrator: AUGUST 11, 1965.

THE FIRE OF RESENTMENT IGNITES

IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD OF WATTS.

AT 7 P.M. OFFICERS STOP 21-YEAR-OLD MARQUETTE FRYE

FOR RECKLESS DRIVING.

HIS MOTHER COMES TO THE SCENE, AND A CROWD QUICKLY GATHERS.

THE SITUATION BEGINS TO ESCALATE AND GET OUT OF CONTROL.

A RIOT BREAKS OUT...

[SHOUTING AND SCREAMING]

FIRES SPREAD.

[SHOUTING AND SCREAMING]

RIOTING AND POLICE CLASHES CONTINUE

FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS.

*

[SIREN]

BY 1 A.M. ON AUGUST 14th,

THERE ARE 100 FIRE CREWS IN WATTS

TRYING TO CONTROL THE BLAZES.

CURFEWS AND MASS ARRESTS TAKE PLACE ACROSS LOS ANGELES.

*

3,000 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN JOIN POLICE TO RESTORE ORDER.

[WOMAN SINGING]

WHEN IT IS ALL OVER, 34 PEOPLE ARE DEAD,

1,032 INJURED, NEARLY 3,500 IN JAIL,

AND THERE'S BEEN MORE THAN $40 MILLION OF PROPERTY DAMAGE.

WATTS IS JUST ONE OF HUNDREDS OF PROTESTS AND POLICE CLASHES

IN AMERICA IN 1965.

AMERICA IS AT THE HEIGHT OF A REVOLUTION.

BUT A DIFFERENT REVOLUTION IS ON THE HORIZON,

ONE OF LOVE AND PEACE.

*

IT'S 1965.

FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS AMERICA HAS BUILT UP

A MILITARY PRESENCE IN SOUTH VIETNAM.

IN RESPONSE TO COMMUNIST NORTH VIETNAM'S THREATS

AGAINST THEIR SOUTHERN NEIGHBORS,

ON MARCH 2nd, AMERICA LAUNCHES

ITS BIGGEST MILITARY DEPLOYMENT IN A DECADE...

[BOMBS WHISTLING]

[EXPLOSIONS]

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER.

[EXPLOSIONS]

THE U.S. IS NOW ATTACKING THE ENEMY'S HOMELAND,

WHICH PRESIDENT JOHNSON SAYS IS JUSTIFIED.

Johnson: OVER MANY YEARS WE HAVE MADE A NATIONAL PLEDGE

TO HELP SOUTH VIETNAM DEFEND ITS INDEPENDENCE,

AND I INTEND TO KEEP THAT PROMISE.

[APPLAUSE]

Narrator: BUT THE BOMBING WILL LAST NOT FOR WEEKS,

BUT FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS.

IN 1965 ALONE, OVER 230,000 TROOPS ARE DRAFTED.

[SHOUTING]

*

ONE FAMOUS YOUNG AMERICAN ELIGIBLE FOR THE DRAFT

IS HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION MUHAMMAD ALI.

Muhammad Ali: YOU CAN LOOK AT ME,

I'M LOADED WITH CONFIDENCE,

I CAN'T BE BEAT.

I HAD 180 AMATEUR FIGHTS, 22 PROFESSIONAL FIGHTS,

AND I'M PRETTY AS A GIRL!

[LAUGHTER]

Narrator: ALI, A MUSLIM AND PACIFIST,

SAYS HE CANNOT KILL PEOPLE IN VIETNAM.

[APPLAUSE]

ON APRIL 28, 1967, AS A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR,

HE REFUSES THE ORDER TO JOIN THE ARMY.

Ali: WELL, WHATEVER THE PUNISHMENT,

WHATEVER THE PERSECUTION IS

FOR STANDING UP FOR MY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS,

EVEN IF IT MEANS FACING MACHINE GUN FIRE THAT DAY,

I WILL FACE IT BEFORE DENOUNCING ELIJAH MUHAMMAD

AND THE RELIGION OF ISLAM.

Narrator: TWO MONTHS LATER, ALI IS CONVICTED OF DRAFT EVASION

AND SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.

BOXING AUTHORITIES STRIP HIM OF HIS TITLE

AND BAN HIM FROM THE RING.

BUT HE AVOIDS JAIL BY APPEALING TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

*

[GUNFIRE]

BY THE FALL OF 1967, THE U.S. TROOP LEVEL IN VIETNAM

IS CLOSING IN ON HALF A MILLION.

[GUNFIRE]

MORE THAN 100,000 HAVE BEEN INJURED,

AND 15,000 AMERICANS ARE DEAD.

AMERICA IS SPLIT.

HALF THE COUNTRY SUPPORTS THE WAR,

BELIEVING IT IS VITAL TO CONTAIN COMMUNISM

AND ADVANCE FREEDOM AROUND THE WORLD.

BUT THE OTHER HALF...

THEY OPPOSE THE DRAFT

AND THE SURGING DEATH TOLL AMONG TROOPS AND CIVILIANS.

THEY SAY THE WAR IS ILLEGAL AND IMMORAL.

DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

BEAR WITNESS TO THE GROWING UNREST.

[SCREAMING AND SHOUTING]

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SUPPORTS THE PROTESTS.

HE DENOUNCES CHANNELING SO MUCH MONEY

TO A FUTILE OVERSEAS EFFORT WHEN SO MANY ARE SUFFERING AT HOME.

King: IF WE CAN SPEND $35 BILLION A YEAR

TO FIGHT AN ILL-CONSIDERED WAR IN VIETNAM,

OUR NATION CAN SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS

TO PUT GOD'S CHILDREN ON THEIR OWN TWO FEET.

Narrator: ONE YEAR AFTER THIS SPEECH,

ON APRIL 4, 1968, IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE...

JUST AFTER 6 P.M., A SHOT RINGS OUT.

*

[GUNSHOT]

ON THE BALCONY OF THE LORRAINE MOTEL,

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. IS HIT.

KING'S COMPANIONS,

JESSE JACKSON, RALPH ABERNATHY AND BILLY KYLES,

POINT TOWARD THE SHOT

AS THE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER LIES DYING.

ONCE AGAIN THE NATION IS THROWN INTO GRIEF.

BUT AFTER A DECADE OF STRIFE,

SOMETHING POTENTIALLY UNIFYING BECKONS.

AMERICA IS VERY CLOSE TO PUTTING A MAN ON THE MOON.

*

[CHEERING]

NOVEMBER 1968.

IN YET ANOTHER OF THE DECADE'S STUNNING TURNS,

THE MAN ELECTED PRESIDENT

IS THE SAME MAN JACK KENNEDY DEFEATED IN 1960:

RICHARD NIXON.

[APPLAUSE]

HE WINS A TIGHT ELECTION; AMERICA IS READY FOR CHANGE.

Nixon: WE WANT TO BRIDGE THE GENERATION GAP,

WE WANT TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE RACES,

WE WANT TO BRING AMERICA TOGETHER.

AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS TASK

IS ONE THAT WE CAN UNDERTAKE

AND ONE IN WHICH WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

Narrator: BUT EIGHT MONTHS LATER

THE GENERATION GAP IS STILL PLAIN TO SEE.

*

JOE LAMAY IS 21 AND WORKS

FOR THE EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY IN NEW YORK.

HE AND HIS WIFE VALORIE HAVE A NEW BABY GIRL.

[BABY LAUGHING]

*

AUGUST 15, 1969.

THE LAMAYS JOIN HALF A MILLION YOUNG AMERICANS

HEADING UPSTATE.

*

ORGANIZERS OF A THREE-DAY FESTIVAL OF PEACE AND MUSIC

ARE RACING FOR A NEW VENUE

AFTER RESIDENTS OF ULSTER COUNTY SHOOT DOWN THEIR PLANS.

A DAIRY FARM IN THE CATSKILLS BECOMES THE NEW SITE...

BUT THEY STICK WITH THE ORIGINAL NAME: WOODSTOCK.

*

JOE SHOOTS THIS FOOTAGE, NEVER BROADCAST BEFORE,

OF THE CLIMAX OF THE COUNTERCULTURE.

*

IN THE SUMMER OF 1969, AMERICA IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

*

A MONTH BEFORE WOODSTOCK, THE NATION EXPERIENCES

ONE OF THE DEFINING MOMENTS IN HUMAN HISTORY.

*

JULY 16, 1969.

Man: 10, 9, IGNITION SEQUENCE START.

6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.

ALL ENGINES RUNNING.

[RUMBLING]

LIFTOFF, WE HAVE A LIFTOFF.

32 MINUTES PAST THE HOUR.

LIFTOFF ON APOLLO 11.

*

Narrator: AMERICANS CROWD HIGHWAYS AND BEACHES

TO WITNESS THE LAUNCH OF APOLLO 11

FROM THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER.

*

ON BOARD, ASTRONAUTS MICHAEL COLLINS,

BUZZ ALDRIN, AND NEIL ARMSTRONG...

Neil Armstrong: HOUSTON, TRANQUILITY BASE HERE.

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED.

Houston: WE COPY YOU DOWN, EAGLE.

Narrator: FROM THE OVAL OFFICE, PRESIDENT NIXON WATCHES

ALONG WITH 600 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE...

Houston: TRANQUILITY, WE COPY YOU ON THE GROUND.

YOU GOT A BUNCH OF GUYS ABOUT...

Narrator: THE BIGGEST TV AUDIENCE EVER AT THAT TIME.

[BROADCASTS IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES]

*

ON JULY 20th, THE WORLD SEES THE FIRST MEN, AMERICANS,

WALK ON THE MOON.

Armstrong: THAT'S ONE SMALL STEP FOR MAN,

ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND.

*

[CHEERING]

*

Nixon: HELLO, NEIL AND BUZZ.

Narrator: FROM THE WHITE HOUSE,

THE PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES THE ASTRONAUTS.

Nixon: I JUST CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PROUD WE ALL ARE

OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

FOR EVERY AMERICAN THIS HAS TO BE

THE PROUDEST DAY OF OUR LIVES.

Narrator: THE PROMISE JOHN KENNEDY MADE

AT THE START OF THE DECADE HAS BEEN FULFILLED.

AMERICA HAS WON THE SPACE RACE.

IT IS AMERICANS WHO SHOW THE WORLD THE VIEW FROM THE MOON.

*

[CHEERING]

THE PAST 10 YEARS

HAVE BROUGHT REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES TO AMERICA.

THE NATION HAS CONFRONTED RACIAL DIVISION...

AND A NEW CHASM BETWEEN THE GENERATIONS.

GREAT MEN HAVE DIED...

BUT THE PROMISE OF LOFTY IDEALS STILL BINDS THE NATION TOGETHER,

NO MATTER HOW LOOSELY.

AND THE 1960s BECOME KNOWN AS THE DAWN OF MODERN AMERICA.

*