The 1960s was a decade of social, political, and technological upheaval. The world changed significantly during this time as key events paved the way for the modern era. From the Cuban Missile Crisis to the Apollo 11 mission and everything in between, these ten moments defined the 1960s and continue to shape our lives today.

1. The Cuban Missile Crisis: The Most Important Event of the 1960s

The Cuban Missile Crisis was the most important event of the 1960s and one of the tensest moments in modern history. In October 1962, the United States and Soviet Union nearly went to war over a build-up of nuclear weapons in Cuba. After two weeks of high-tension negotiations, cooler heads prevailed and disaster was averted.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day confrontation in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union involving nuclear missiles in Cuba. After two weeks of intense negotiations, President Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev reached an agreement that led to the removal of all Russian ballistic missiles from Cuba. It is widely regarded as one of the most important events of the 1960s as it highlighted the risks of nuclear war and showed how diplomacy could be used to solve international crises.