The 1960s

Watch The 1960s

  • 2014
  • 1 Season

The 1960s from HISTORY Vault takes a close look at the transformative decade that saw the United States go through immense social, cultural, and political upheaval. The show is an eight-part docuseries that delves into events that shaped the era, including the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the space race, the counterculture movement, and the rise of feminism.

The show opens with a comprehensive overview of the 1960s, setting the stage for the tumultuous decade that lay ahead. Viewers get to witness the burgeoning optimism of the era, as well as the growing sense of frustration and disillusionment that would ultimately lead to widespread unrest.

Throughout each episode, the show does an excellent job of weaving together its various disparate threads, painting a cohesive portrait of what the 1960s was like for different people across different regions and socio-economic backgrounds. The show explores the experiences of ordinary citizens, as well as that of prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr., President John F. Kennedy, and civil rights activists like Angela Davis and Stokely Carmichael.

One of the standout episodes focuses on the Civil Rights Movement, which was one of the most significant social movements of the 20th century. The episode takes a deep dive into the key figures and tactics that were employed to push back against systemic racism, including the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, the Freedom Rides, and the March on Washington. The show makes clear the immense bravery displayed by those who fought for civil rights in the face of systemic opposition and entrenched discrimination.

Another episode looks at the Vietnam War, which was perhaps one of the most controversial conflicts in American history. The show unpacks the reasons behind the United States' involvement in the war, as well as the various strategies that were deployed by both sides. The episode features interviews with veterans, as well as with anti-war activists, who convey the devastating impact that the war had on Vietnam and the United States alike.

Throughout the series, viewers are treated to thought-provoking footage and interviews that help to provide context and perspective on the various events of the era. The show's producers have done an excellent job at sourcing authentic footage from the period, which helps to bring the era to life in a way that traditional history books cannot match.

Perhaps most impressively, the show manages to capture the pervasive feeling of hope and optimism that characterizes the 1960s despite the darkness that underpinned it. Though the decade was marked by the deaths of key figures like JFK and Martin Luther King Jr., people of that era remained steadfast in their desire for progress and eventual social justice in the face of overwhelming odds.

Overall, The 1960s from HISTORY Vault is a must-watch docuseries for anyone interested in the history of America, the Civil Rights Movement, or the transformative decade that was the 1960s. With its insightful commentary, excellent interviews, and authentic footage from the period, the show provides an engaging and enlightening peek behind the curtain of one of America's most fraught and consequential eras.

The 1960s is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (9 episodes). The series first aired on August 30, 2014.

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Seasons
Moonshot
9. Moonshot
July 20, 2009
Relive the breathtaking story of Apollo 11, the first manned landing on the moon, from the crew's earliest days at NASA to the moment when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the lunar surface.
Woodstock: Now and Then
8. Woodstock: Now and Then
August 17, 2009
In the summer of 1969, on a farm about 90 miles north of New York City, more than 500,000 people gathered for a three-day music festival that in an instant defined a generation and changed popular culture forever.
Apollo 11
7. Apollo 11
June 20, 2004
Look back at the technological advancements that allowed the U.S. to meet President Kennedy's 1961 challenge to put a man on the moon in just eight years.
How Playboy Changed the World
6. How Playboy Changed the World
October 2, 2012
Peeks behind the centerfolds to see just how Hugh M. Hefner's men's magazine challenged social conventions, helped galvanize attitudes about civil liberties, and became a worldwide empire.
Declassified: Rise And Fall Of The Wall
5. Declassified: Rise And Fall Of The Wall
November 8, 2004
Mine formerly guarded vaults and archives around the world to reveal untold stories about the brutal life and catastrophic death of the Berlin Wall, a central symbol of the 20th century's longest and deadliest war.
JFK: 3 Shots that Changed America, Part 2
4. JFK: 3 Shots that Changed America, Part 2
October 12, 2009
Part 2 of this two-part special examines the enduring controversies that emerged as succeeding generations of Americans struggled to comprehend the sudden murder of an unforgettable leader.
JFK: 3 Shots that Changed America, Part 1
3. JFK: 3 Shots that Changed America, Part 1
October 11, 2009
Part 1 of this two-part special uses rare footage to offer an unflinching look at the Kennedy assassination and the chaotic days that followed.
60's Tech
2. 60's Tech
May 16, 2007
Revisit the technological happenings that helped shape the freewheeling '60s in ways both big and small, from color TV and touch-tone phones to slot car racing and lava lamps.
Civil Rights
1. Civil Rights
August 30, 2014
From the little-known actions of iconic pioneers to the many courageous deeds of unheralded champions, crack open the books on one of America's most defining chapters: the Civil Rights movement.
Description
Where to Watch The 1960s
The 1960s is available for streaming on the HISTORY Vault website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The 1960s on demand at Amazon Prime and History Vault.
  • Premiere Date
    August 30, 2014