History forms an essential part of our lives. It is from this that we make references to what happened and our future expectations. In conjunction with a group of archeologists, we discovered a time capsule of 1960s. It became of interest to us hence we opted to dig it up. I was given the role of digging up the capsule. In our study revelations, upon investigating the capsule, we discovered the following pertinent items. A tattered newspaper piece titled, ’Anti-war movement’, a cover page to a journal titled ,’Why Assassinate our political leaders?’, a piece of paper with inscriptions of ‘Feminine Mystique,’a cover to the album written Beatles, a letter to JF Kennedy by an unknown writer and a dusty picture that had two people . The society is mainly affected or influenced by such social, economic and political issues.
In our discoveries, the capsule contents significantly brought out major events in 1960s which include the anti-war movement in the USA that purposed to bring to an end the Vietnam War (Black, 2008). Assassination of political leaders was also on course during this period. It is also evident that music significantly developed during the period. It marks the advent of Rock, Jazz and Pop Music. The period between 1960 and 1970 had with it poets, writers of speeches and Authors who mainly did their literary work as a result of the circumstances that were subjected to them at that time. The events that took center point during this phase in time did cut across all ages. As such, any person could be victimized without regard to his or her position in the society. We, therefore, came to understand that the items did impact on the events at that time. The significance of the items in the prevailing conditions was also our observation as it will be expressed in the foregoing.
A Tattered Newspaper piece titled ‘Anti-War Movement’
Upon investigating we found a tattered newspaper in the capsule titled ‘Anti-War Movement’. The movement was spearheaded by the Vietnam War that was on course. People from all categories across the world joined in the pursuit to stop the war. The war had led to many deaths in the USA. The resultant feature is that many children had been left without parental support. The reference to this was the malicious killings during the war. Humanitarian groups were condemning the atrocities and offering help to victims. Some of the highlights in the newspaper that we managed to retrieve stated that Religion and its subscribers were among the fundamental supporters and promoters to the struggle. We understand that the movement comprised of workers under their labor unions, students and government institutions. Our investigations revealed that the war involved social, economic, cultural and political spheres which were relevant to our history basin at this period. The fight against the war, therefore, focused on this. The significance of the movement was that it led to the recognition that all people are equal. It was of common knowledge that this would in turn reduce the tensions that characterized the time before and during the war. War could not favor people to engage in economic activities to their fullest (Friedan, 2008).
The movement was also focused on protecting the economic aspects of the American community. The eventual success in curbing the war and its adverse effects marked redemption of the economic set up hence its impact. Along cultural lines, our study revealed that discrimination was at its peak during that time. Individuals who formed the movement and their solely united interests did usurp this phenomenon. The movement further led to improvements in the leadership schemes by political leaders hence its significance to the issues at hand. People ardently expressed the kind of leadership that they wanted as result. Policies were resultant developments by the sun setting of 1960s (Black, 2008).The tattered Newspaper therefore represents the voice of the people which ultimately yielded fruits.
‘Beatles’ The Music Album
Entertainment is a key feature within the society. Life would probably be boring without its existence and contribution. We discovered that in the 1960s, the American community was characterized by music as a result of the particulars of the Album. The advent of Jazz, Rap and Pop music was also a key instance (Stephen King, 2009). Psychedelic rock was also part of the music at that time in history. In the facilitation to this, individuals formed groups of musicians leading to coming up with RNB genre of music and the music category embraced by the Beatles. The music field was dominated by the youth. The groupings would be regional uni-gender, and cross gender. Similarly, Europe and Asia received growth in the music industry during these times. Classical music, Rock and blues were identified with then (Stephen King, 2009).
We do appreciate that the music industry resulted to competition in the same field during this period. The domineering American blues and jazz music received immense recognition and respect. In lieu of this, the musicians based in Britain formed a Rock band that borrowed a lot from the American music. Artists in the music industry were the likes of Robert Johnson and Holing Wolf. Their music was a base-point by many musicians .The reason to this was their excellence and talent. Referring the title of ‘The forefathers of Music’ to them can hence be under the above justifications (Ross, 2010).
We noted that psychedelic music and culture bases its foundation in the 1960s. The use of Hallucinogen drugs by musicians is traced to this period. The characterization can, therefore, be of relevance to us in our understanding of where and why musicians per take of drugs. Artistes such as Eric Burdon and Pink Foyd composed and produced Psychedelic tunes. Bands of the same were also manifested in the 1960s; this was necessitated by groups such as The Beatles (McDaniel, 2007).
The impact of music to our realization upon investigation is that Country music that was developed in the 1950s was further enhanced and improved upon in the 1960s. Jim. A majority of Music genres trace back to the 1960s. It is, therefore, justified that is the music age. It lays the foundation of the music culture and practice that we embrace today hence its significant impact (Black, 2008).
A Cover to a Journal Titled: ‘Why kill Political leaders?
We discovered that, In the 1960s, the American society experienced numerous assassinations. The assassinations were mostly politically instigated. In the inclusion of the killings, a group of individuals who were opposed to some opponents’ way of taking things found a way of eliminating their counterparts (Friedan, 2008). The purpose was accomplished when organized deaths were brought to book. It followed an increased mysterious killing of people. The tread of deaths was among the persons of authority and a voice as we derive from our cover title finding and the outcomes of our research. Our research extensively reveals that reformers and proponents of social justice were the primary targets. Efforts of having a good leadership were thwarted on repeated instances. To the assassins, most of who were self-interested individuals all that mattered was their individual benefits. The interests of the society were absolutely disregarded. The persons assassinated included Fidel Castro, who reportedly was to be assassinated according to the findings by the American Senate. He was to be killed by the CIA agents. JF Kennedy was a strong advocate for social reforms. He was an Anti-communist. His ambitions led to the provision of American citizens being granted medical facilities and crucial social services. He wrote a speech that describes the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (Stephen King, 2009)
JF Kennedy
JF Kennedy was also assassinated in 1963.He was the 35th US president. His assassination was at the age of 35. Kennedy, being a committed advocate of people’s affairs; his death is attributed to have been organized. He stood up for civil rights. Speeches wrote by him were purposed to bring people to accountability and responsibility (Black). This included,’ the speech titled, “Ask not what your county can do for you but what you can do for your country” (Black, 2008).
Robert Bobby Kennedy
In the American History, Robert Bobby Kennedy was also assassinated in 1968. He was gunned down immediately after his victory speech after being elected the president. He was shot by Sirhan in a hotel hallway at the age of 42. It is then evidently clear that his sudden murder after winning the elections was under political schemes and scum (Black, 2008). The assassinations are contributed greatly to the awareness of the people. Their choice of leaders that they deemed most fit also diversified along this line.
The title of the journal did appear to revolve around all these individuals who had died in unexplainable scenarios from our findings. We further acknowledged that the date o the journal which was November 1969 did comprise all these political assassinations.
The assassinations spirited up people in all circles for more fights in pursuit o their rights hence the progressive improvements in the way public matters were handled as the years advanced hence the position of this item that we found in the capsule as it per-takes the war, struggles and political movements of 1960s.
A printed paper inscribed ‘Feminine Mytique’
In our study and investigation to the ‘Feminine Mytique‘, we discovered that the paper was written in response to the male dominance. Its effects to women led to women movements were being formed. The purpose of the movements was to enlighten and advance affairs in regards to women. The view that women were mere housekeepers and objects of giving birth was not impressive in the eyes of the proponents of the women movements (Friedan, 2008). The impact of this written work is that it pushed for reforms. Women were encouraged seek leadership positions and engage in other aspects of the community just as it was the case of the male gender. Among this, exploitation of the women by the rather patriarchal social was also a common feature (Friedan, 2008). Many movements and organizations in support for this resulted thereby promoting the position of women in the society. It is further plausible to state that the current position of women engagements in leadership and politics draws back to this age. Our deep research brought to light that it was the works of Betty Friedan. We as experts in the field found out that impacted in reducing the gap between men and women. Further, it significantly did boost up women in the society (Friedan, 2008).
A Letter To JF Kennedy
In our discoveries of the contents of the capsule, we investigated a letter that was addressed to JF Kennedy by an unknown person.1960 to 1969 forms a period when war for instance Vietnam was at its peak in the USA. It hence fell relevant and significant to the incidences that were in occurrence. We confirmed in our studies that the letter was written that the time when the war was raging. The letter happened to be a comforting and encouraging one from a citizen. Such aspects did promote and positively impact on the zeal by reformers to root out the vices that were in high manifest at that time. (Friedan, 2008).
Conclusion
In our findings, therefore, we would deduct the following assertions. America has a history that is well founded upon struggles and formation of movements to advocate for rights .Impunity is also not part and parcel of the American culture. The fight to it did not begin today. It can, therefore, be argued that the happenings of 1960s in the USA significantly accounts for its current position. It was a time when the society was at its tender and most fragile position. The diligence, hope and zealous attitude of revolutionaries are what accounts to today’s position. History in itself defines present and future expectations. Appreciation of those who spirited up the fight in the 1960s during the hard times is what should be observed. Upholding the virtues, objectives and interests of those who led to this is the only way to ensure that the USA is the best place anyone could call home. It all began the 1960s .To the United States; therefore, the period of 1960 to 1970 is not just like any passing time. It is a revolution of great value. The contents of the 1960s time capsule did form a significant impact on the events that took place as discussed.
References
Black, D. (2008). Pictures Stories:Behind the cameras at the White House. Chicago, USA: Atlas Press Publishers.
Friedan, B. (2008). Feminine Mystique. Feminine Mystique, 3-9.
McDaniel, L. (2007). The Time Capsule. New York: Random House Children's Books.
Ross, A. (2010). Amber: The Natural Time Capsule (Illustrated ed.). Ontario: Firefly Books Limited.
Stephen King. (2009). The Shawshank Redemption. New York: Penguin Group.
