Watch History Specials, 1960's Collection

The History Specials, 1960's Collection from History is a meticulously curated program that offers an insightful glimpse into the significant events that shaped the 1960s. The show is a fascinating chronicle of the tumultuous decade that saw the world transform at an unprecedented rate, with cultural, political, social, and technological changes reverberating across the globe.

The show is anchored by a superb collection of archival footage, photographs, and audio recordings, which are seamlessly compiled and presented by a host of expert historians and scholars. The program highlights the key moments that made the 1960s such a pivotal period in history, and examines the factors that led to the era's defining events.

One of the significant themes explored in the show is the Civil Rights movement. The program delves into the struggles of African Americans to gain equal rights and dignity, and provides a compelling look at the key figures who championed the cause of civil rights. Viewers get to know more about the Freedom Riders, such as James Peck, who challenged racial segregation by travelling across the Deep South in 1961 in a bus called "The Greyhound." We see the evolution of Malcolm X, the charismatic leader of the Nation of Islam who advocated for Black Nationalism in the face of systemic discrimination, and the transformation of Martin Luther King Jr., who became the standard-bearer for nonviolent resistance and the most prominent advocate of civil rights in America.

The show takes a deep dive into the Vietnam War and the anti-war movement which rocked the US, as it roiled the nation's psyche for more than a decade. Through rare and previously unseen footage, the program shows the escalating moral and political resistance against the war, with iconic moments such as the 1963 Buddhist monk self-immolation, and the Kent State shootings of 1970.

In addition to the Cultural Revolution that transformed America, the show also explores the cultural shifts taking place worldwide in the realms of fashion, music, art, and film. The program delves into the emergence of Rock 'n' Roll, which became the soundtrack of a generation, and highlights the pivotal events of the decade's music scene, including Woodstock and the Beatles' final concert on the roof of Apple Records in London in 1969. Bold expressions of art from pop to minimalism to performance art and the emergence of independent film by the likes of John Cassavetes receive ample attention.

The program presents a detailed look at the political transformation of the 1960s, and examines the movements that ushered in new thinking and shaped the political landscape of not only America but the world. We see a comprehensive study of the civil rights movement, the burgeoning feminist movement, the counterculture, the emergence of the sexual revolution and the simmering tensions that would lead to the fight for gay rights decades later.

The program also brings to light the technological advances that defined the 1960s, including the birth of the computer age, the race to put men on the moon, and breakthroughs in scientific research. We learn about the space race, the Cold War and the invention of the laser, and how all of these developments were intertwined with the broader social and cultural changes taking place around the world

In sum, History Specials, 1960's Collection from History, is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary series that captures the essence of a defining era in modern human history. The program shines a spotlight on the major players, movements, and events that came to define the 1960s, and offers viewers a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the legacy of the transformative decade. For anyone who seeks context, understanding, and perspective on this defining period of the 20th century, this show is a must-watch.