1960: The Western World

In the Western world the political nature was that of a thriving one. In the United States the civil rights movement was in effect, with leaders such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Malcolm X.

African Americans were also allowed to participate in the Olympic Games. Figures such as Wilma Rudolph and Cassius Clay became prominent figures in the 1960 Olympic games.

Wilma Rudolph became "the fastest woman in the world" and the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics. She won the 100- and 200-meter races and anchored the U.S. team to victory in the 4 x 100-meter relay, breaking records along the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-rFH2yo7T0

Cassius Clay competed in the light heavyweight division. Although he was only 18, he won all four of his fights and in the final he defeated three-time European champion Zbigniew Pietzykowski to win the gold metal. He is also famous for opposing the Vietnam War and saying:

Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality.

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The Americans reassert their supremacy in space by landing a man on the moon in July 1969.

This moon landing newspaper article described the details of the moon mission, as well as the safety issues surrounding a human walk on the moon. Also detailed was the landing itself, how Armstrong safely piloted the vessel onto the lunar surface, which was dangerous. Another moon landing newspaper article described the television feed from the moon landing and how Americans were anxiously watching to see the first men walk on the moon. Although the images were shadowy and grainy, they were clear enough to cause excitement throughout the country.

Also reported in a moon landing newspaper article was the fact that the Soviet Luna 15 satellite was dropping its orbit closer to the moon and closer to the Americans' location on the moon. Scientists were reported as being confused as to the purpose of this maneuver. The Soviets simply wanted to be the first to bring lunar dust back to earth, since they were unable to put humans into space like the U.S. The moon landing newspaper article reported that time was running out for the Soviets to accomplish this goal. The Luna 15 was destined to a crash landing on the moon, however, just hours before Apollo 11 lifted off for home.

source: http://www.archives.com/genealogy/newspaper-genealogy-moon-landing.html