The Sixties

There is something about a number or a set of numbers that defy understanding. For instance, an era that began with 60 and ended with 69 historically have been decades of turmoil. My opinion. However, after looking through U.S. history tell me that I don't have a valid theory.

During the 1760s the seeds of revolution and independence started to bloom.  The British government imposed a series of new taxes while rejecting the American argument that any new taxes had to be approved by the people.

1764 – The Sugar Act intended to raise revenues, and the Currency Act prohibiting the colonies from issuing paper money, are passed by Parliament. These Acts, coming during the economic slump that followed the French and Indian War, are resented by the colonists and lead to protests. (Wikipedia)

1765 - The Stamp Act (repealed in 1766) was issued to help defray the costs for keeping troops in the colonies. The crown, also, enacted the Quartering Act, which required American households to provide housing, food, and other provisions to British troops. The act is resisted or circumvented in most of the colonies. In 1767 and again in 1769, Parliament suspended the governor and legislature of New York for failure to comply. (Wikipedia)

1768 - May - A British warship armed with 50 cannons sailed into Boston harbor after a call for help from custom commissioners who are constantly being harassed by Boston agitators.
           June - A customs official is locked up in the cabin of the Liberty, a sloop owned by John Hancock. Imported wine is then unloaded illegally into Boston without payment of duties. Following this incident, customs officials seize Hancock's sloop. After threats of violence from Bostonians, the customs officials escape to an island off Boston, then request the intervention of British troops.
          July - The governor of Massachusetts dissolves the general court after the legislature defies his order to revoke Adams' circular letter.
         August - In Boston and New York, merchants agree to boycott most British goods until the Townshend Acts are repealed.
         September - At a town meeting in Boston, residents are urged to arm themselves. Later in September, English warships sail into Boston Harbor, then two regiments of English infantry land in Boston and set up permanent residence to keep order. (Wikipedia)

Abraham Lincoln

During the 1860s:
1861-65 - Civil War between the Northern and Southern states.
1865 - President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated.
1866 - Ku Klux Klan is created. (The WORST organization ever formed in the U.S.A.)
1868 - President Andrew Johnson is impeached. (One of only two Presidents to ever have been impeached to date. Bill Clinton was the other.)

Dick Nixon

The Devil Personified

Based on five polls taken by U.S. News & World Report, 3 of the 10 worst U.S. Presidents that ever governed the U.S.A. were from this decade, which has the most representation for any decade.
* James Buchanan (1)
* Andrew Johnson (3)
* Ulysses S. Grant (7))
[Special note: 10th was a two-way tie between George W. Bush and Richard M. Nixon.] [On another sad note: The Civil Rights Act of 1866 is enacted but never really enforced fully for a 100 years until the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.]

During the 1960s:
1961-4 - American escalated involvement in Vietnam. (We don't vacate 'Nam entirely until 1975.)
1963-8 - The British Invasion (music), though not really a bad thing unless you were an American band, whose popularity rapidly waned because of the Beatles and Stones, et al.
1963-73 - Counterculture/social revolution (Hippy and Yippy Movements, etc.) clashing with law enforcement and authorities over a laundry list of issues including but not limited to Vietnam War involvement, the "Draft", Civil Rights, etc.
1961 - The Bay Of Pigs invasion.
1962 - Cuban missile crisis.
1963 - June - Medgar Evers was murdered.
           November - JFK assassinated the Friday before Thanksgiving. Also,
1964 - The Draft begins.
1965 - February - Malcolm X assassinated.
           August - Los Angeles (Watts) riots sparked by incensed blacks because of police racism.
1966 - Mass draft protests in the U.S.
1968 - April - Martin Luther King is assassinated.
           June - Bobby Kennedy is assassinated.
           December - Zodiac serial killer begins his reign of terror.
1969 - June - Stonewall Riot believed to be the start of the Gay Rights Movement.
           August - Tate-Labianca murders masterminded by Charles Manson and carried out by his family of followers.

This is a mere short list of events in all three decades relative to the continental United States. I ignored World events that did not affect the U.S. directly. I'm sure there may be other decades that rival the events in these decades, but I believe the events during these decades helped to define and change the United States. And I'm sure when the 2060s arrive, some real compelling and interesting and possibly very disturbing events will occur. Unless medicine takes a humongous leap in keeping us alive longer, I probably won't be around to witness or report. But mark these worlds, some bad stuff is going to happen. It's the karma of the 60s.