1969.…a year that I wasn’t born into, but I wish I was. It was a new rebellion that year, and one of my favorite years. That is when the hippies spoke up for what they believe in by riots, celebrations, and music. Politics was becoming more popular, and I believe that is when history began to take place. Sure, history has been around since day one, but 1969 is a year worth remembering. A lot of events happened on this year. Some are forgotten, and some are not. I feel that this was the year voices were being expressed and heard, regardless of the opinions of the others. I also feel that this was the year that civic rights and the carrying out of “freedom of speech” began to come to light.

On January 12, Super Bowl III took place with New York Jets against the Baltimore Colts. New York Jets defeated the Baltimore Colts with the score of 16 to 7 in Miami. Joe Namath was named most valuable player. On January 13^th, The Beatles released their album “Yellow Submarine.” On January 17^th, the first Led Zeppelin album was released in America. On January 20^th, Richard Nixon was inaugurated as President of the United States.

On February 1^st, The Doors singer, Jim Morrison was arrested for indecent exposure at a concert. On Feburary 5^th, the United States population rises to 200 million.

On March 10^th, James Earl Ray pleads guilty for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., On March 12^th, The Beatles, George Harrison and wife Patti, were busted for possession of 120 joints. Also on March 12^th, The Beatles, Paul McCartney marries Linda Louise Eastman in London, England. On March 13^th, Apollo 9 returns to Earth. On March 20^th, The Beatles, John Lennon marries Yoko Ono in Gibraltar. Also on March 20^th, President Nixon proclaims he is going to end the Vietnam war in 1970. March 21^st, John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono stage their 1^st bed-in for peace at the Amsterdam Hilton. On March 31^st, The Beatles, George Harrison and wife Patti were fined 250 pounds for illegal drug possession.

On April 7^th, the Supreme Court strikes down laws prohibiting private possession of obscene materials. On April 17^th, Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian immigrant, is convicted of assassinating Senator Robert F. Kennedy. On April 23^rd, the Palestinian immigrant, Sirham Sirham was sentenced to death for the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

On May 10^th, Apollo 10 transmits colored pictures of the Earth from space. On May 16^th, The Who’s, Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey are charged with assault. On May 18^th, Apollo 10 launched toward lunar orbit. On May 25^th, the movie “Midnight Cowboy” was rated X due to the erotic scenes in the movie. On May 26^th, Apollo 10 astronauts returned to Earth. On May 27^th, Walt Disney World construction begins. On May 31^st, John Lennon and Yoko Ono release the song “Give Peace A Chance.”

On June 8^th, Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones leaves the band because of his drug problems. On June 8^th, President Nixon says 25,000 troops would leave Vietnam by the end of August. On June 8^th, Mick Taylor replaces Brian Jones in The Rolling Stones. On June 22^nd, singer Aretha Franklin was arrested for causing a disturbance in Detroit.

On July 1^st, Charles Phillip Arthur George was invested as Prince of Wales. Also on July 1^st, John Lennon and Yoko Ono are hospitalized resulting from a car crash. On July 8^th, United States Troops withdrawal begins. On July 16^th, Apollo 11, carrying Neil Armstrong, launched. On July 19^th, Apollo 11 goes into moon orbit. On July 20^th, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin from Apollo 11 are the first men on the moon. On July 22^nd, Neil Armstrong steps on the moon at 2:56 am (GMT.) On July 24^th, Apollo 11 returns to Earth. On July 25^th, Edward M. Kennedy pleads guilty to leaving the scene of the accident a week after the Chappaquiddick car accident that killed Mary Jo Kopechne.

On August 9^th, Manson family commits Tate-LaBianca murders. On August 15^th, Woodstock Music and Art fair opens in New York state (Max Yasgur’s Dairy Farm.) August 16^th, the Woodstock Music festival begins. On August 18^th, The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger was accidentally shot during the making of “Ned Kelly.” On August 22^nd, Gloria O Smith (Miss New York) was crowned 2^nd Miss Black America.

On September 2^nd, the first automated teller machine in the United States is installed in Rockville Center, New York.

On October 12^th, Yoko Ono, wife of John Lennon, suffers another miscarriage. On October 15^th, it was Vietnam Moratorium ; millions nationwide protest the war.

On November 11^th, The Doors singer, Jim Morrison, was arrested by the FBI for drunkenness. On November 14^th, Apollo 12 launched for second moon landing. On November 15^th, 250,000 peacefully demonstrate in Washington D.C. against the Vietnam war. On November 15^th, raspy voice singer, Janis Joplin was accused of vulgar and indecent language in Tampa, Florida. On November 15^th, Wendy’s fast food restaurant opens. On November 19^th, Apollo 12’s Conrad and Bean become third and fourth humans on the moon. On November 24^th, Apollo 12 returns to Earth. On November 25^th, John Lennon returns to protest United Kingdom’s support for the Vietnam war. On November 26^th, President Nixon signs the Lottery for Selective Service draftees bill.

On December 1^st, United States government holds its first draft lottery since World War II. On December 3^rd, John Lennon is offered the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. On December 14^th, The Jackson Five made their first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” On December 17^th, Fifty million television viewers saw singer Tiny Tim marry Miss Vicky on the Tonight Show. On December 18^th, the British abolishes the death penalty. On December 21^st was Diana Ross’s final appearance as a “Supreme” on the “Ed Sullivan Show.”

It was a time of music, rebellion, and celebration. Important history should be added as well. Those who were old enough to remember the events in 1969 are lucky to see such events. I envy those that did. I envy my mother and father, who were juniors in high school. I would love to hear other people talk about these events I just mentioned because I find it interesting to know what happened in the year of 1969.