The Historical Realities Forrest Gump The Historical Realities

Ku Klux Klan "Now, when I was a baby, Momma named me after the great Civil War hero, General Nathan Bedford Forrest... She said we were related to him in some way. And, what he did was, he started up this club called the Ku Klux Klan…” Nathan Bedford Forrest an early leader of the Ku Klux Klan

“They'd all dress up in their robes and their bedsheets and act like a bunch of ghosts or spooks or something. They'd even put bedsheets on their horses and ride around. And anyway, that's how I got my name. Forrest Gump. Momma said that the Forrest part was to remind me that sometimes we all do things that, well, just don't make no sense.”

Elvis Presley Elvis Presley's introduction of "Hound Dog" scandalized the TV audience with his suggestive hip movements inspired by little Forrest’s walk.

Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977) was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis and as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

George Wallace Former Governor George Wallace makes his symbolic stand in the doorway at Foster Auditorium at the University of Alabama in 1963 before allowing two African-American students to enter and integrate the school.

Forrest meets John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office as a member of the All-American Football team.

John F. Kennedy assassination is mentioned in Forrest Gump.

Shortly after JFK death, Forrest mentions the death of his brother Robert F. Kennedy.

Army Recruitment Propaganda [Forrest has just graduated from college] Recruit Officer: Have you given any thought to your future, son? Forrest Gump: "Thought"?

Vietnam In 1967, Forrest and Bubba are sent to Vietnam, and after several months of patrolling with the 9th Infantry Division their platoon is attacked. Though Forrest rescues many of the men in his unit, Bubba is killed in action. Forrest is wounded in the buttocks during the battle, and is awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism.

Forrest was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, as given by President Lyndon B. Johnson L. Davis receives the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House in 1968.

Counterculture Movement “Make love, not war”

Anti-War Rally Abbie Hoffman. Arrested for inciting to riot as a result of his role in anti-Vietnam War protests.

Black Panther Party The Party was founded in 1966 to protect the rights of African-Americans and demanded to end all wars of aggression. Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton

President Richard M. Nixon receives the U. S President Richard M. Nixon receives the U.S. Ping-Pong Team at an Oval Office ceremony.Forrest is named Player Of The Year for 1971. Ping-Pong diplomacy resulted in re-opening U.S.-China relations.

The Watergate Scandal- Forrest witnesses a burglary and calls a security. President Nixon: "Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow."

Forrest, fresh from his China trip with the All-American Ping Pong Team, is a guest on the Dick Cavett Show with John Lennon. CAVETT: You had quite a trip. Can you, uh, tell us, uh, what was China like? GUMP: Well, in the land of China, people hardly got nothing at all. LENNON: No possessions? GUMP: And in China, they never go to church. LENNON: No religion, too? CAVETT: Oh. Hard to imagine. LENNON: Well, it's easy if you try, Dick.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono on the actual show.

Imagine (written by John Lennon) Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today... Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world...

Hurricane Carmen Hurricane Carmen was the most intense tropical cyclone of the 1974 Atlantic hurricane season, causing at least 50 million US dollars in damages.

Hurricane Carmen hit the Louisiana shore Hurricane Carmen hit the Louisiana shore. Dan and Forrest take their shrimp boat out. It is the only boat to survive the storm.

Shit Happens Bumper Sticker Guy: WOAH! Man, you just ran through a big pile of dog shit! Forrest Gump: It happens. Bumper Sticker guy: What, shit? Forrest Gump: Sometimes.

Apple FORREST: "He did take care of my Bubba-Gump money. He got me invested in some kind of fruit company. And so then I got a call from him saying we don't have to worry about money no more."

Forrest in the 90s and 2000s Predict what (4) events Forrest would find himself involved in and how it would play out. You may work alone or with a partner