The long 1964, beginning with JFK's assassination in November 1963 and extending to mid-1965, marked the true arrival of the sixties in the United States. This period initiated a radical shift towards a more inclusive definition of "American," emphasizing equality and an active government role in social and economic progress. Accompanying this shift was a cultural revolution. In January 1964, as Bob Dylan released "The Times They Are a-Changin'," President Lyndon Johnson declared his War on Poverty. Influenced by the civil rights movement and a generation demanding change, landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act, Voting Rights Act, and Immigration and Nationality Act emerged. Competing definitions of freedom flourished: freedom from racism and poverty, while white youth sought the freedoms associated with black culture, encapsulated in the phrase "sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll." Black Americans pursued opportunities linked to the white middle class, termed "white freedom," while women challenged traditional gender roles. This evolving landscape prompted a counter-movement, represented by figures like Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, advocating for freedom from government interference. Additionally, a seemingly minor event in the Tonkin Gulf would propel the nation deeper into the Vietnam tragedy. The narrative of 1964 reveals how American identity began to be reimagined, connecting past struggles to their contempor
