The 1960s was a decade when hundreds of thousands of ordinary Americans gave new life to the nation's democratic ideals.
African Americans used sit-ins, freedom rides, and protest marches to fight segregation, poverty, and unemployment. Feminists demanded equal job opportunities and an end to sexual discrimination. Mexican Americans protested discrimination in voting, education, and employment. Native Americans demanded that the government recognize their land claims and the right of tribes to govern themselves. Environmentalists demanded legislation to control the amount of pollution released into the environment.
These wonderful photos were found by chetkresiak that show what life of the US looked like in the 1960s.
![]() |
| Family picnic, 1960, perhaps near Watertown, New York |
![]() |
| Howard Johnson's Hotel, maybe Pennsylvania, 1960 |
![]() |
| Rest stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, 1960 |
![]() |
| Summer beauties in swimsuits, circa 1960, probably Ohio |
![]() |
| Traffic jam on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, 1960 |
![]() |
| Two women at Howard Johnson's Hotel, probably Pennsylvania, 1960 |
![]() |
| Young lovers in Howard Johnon's Hotel, 1960, at or near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania |
![]() |
| Young man in a Volkswagen convertible Beetle, also VW Microbus or van, circa 1960, probably Ohio |
![]() |
| Home wedding reception, bride, groom, cake and punch bowl in the kitchen, 1961, probably Ohio |
![]() |
| Three mature people lounging on a patio with pigeons, 1961, somewhere in Florida, perhaps Palm Beach |
![]() |
| Two handsome young men on a boat docked by the Palm Beach Biltmore Hotel, Florida, 1961 |
![]() |
| Belgian Waffles, Seattle World's Fair, 1962 |
![]() |
| Burlington Northern Railroad, 1962, probably South Dakota |
![]() |
| Teen boy, Knott's Berry Ghost Town, 1962 |
![]() |
| Woman on Flying Saucer Ride, Disneyland, 1962 |
![]() |
| Couple with standard poodles, 1963 |
![]() |
| Sexy young woman on Hollywood Regency bed, reflection in mirror, 1963 |
![]() |
| Trailer life, 1963, possibly Ohio |
![]() |
| Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, 1964 |
![]() |
| New York City, 1964 |
![]() |
| Man with limousine, Capitol Building, Washington DC, 1965 |
![]() |
| Little girl and her mom sitting on a log, 1967, probably Ohio |
![]() |
| Mother and son, California, circa 1967 |
![]() |
| Mother and daughter on swing set, 1968, probably Ohio |
![]() |
| People at Pymatuning Beach Park, Pennsylvania, August 1969 |
![]() |
| Cocktail party ladies, Columbus, Ohio, 1960s |
![]() |
| Grandfather and grandchildren on an Allis Chalmers tractor, Ohio, 1960s |
![]() |
| Happy woman with chapstick, Columbus, Ohio, 1960s |
![]() |
| Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1960s |
![]() |
| Ladies in the kitchen, probably Columbus, Ohio, 1960s |
![]() |
| Mature couple swimming, 1960s |
![]() |
| Patriotic boy and tricycle, probably Columbus, Ohio, 1960s |
![]() |
| Sexy young woman and automobiles, 1960s |
![]() |
| Two women and cars, probably near Lake Champlain in New York State, 1960 |
![]() |
| Young couple on the beach, 1960s |
