1969
The unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, the lowest rate since May 1969. The broadest measure of underemployment, which includes workers who are out of the labor force but would take a job if offered and workers who are working part-time but would prefer full-time work, was 6.6 percent, a tick above its record low reached in December 2022. (Data for the broadest measure go back to 1994.) Both measures have remained roughly around these low rates since March 2022.
1969
Late in the evening on August 17 in 1969, Hurricane Camille made landfall along the Mississippi Gulf Coast near Waveland, MS. Camille is one of only FOUR Category 5 hurricanes ever to make landfall in the continental United States (Atlantic Basin) - the others being the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, which impacted the Florida Keys; Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which impacted south Florida; and Hurricane Michael in 2018, which impacted the Florida panhandle. (Note: It is worth mentioning that the 1928 San Felipe Hurricane made landfall as a Category 5 Hurricane on Puerto Rico)
Crop damage was extensive across southeast Mississippi with the total destruction of many tung and pecan orchards. Crop damage across south Alabama was limited to Baldwin, Mobile and western Washington Counties. Pecans, soybean and corn crops were damaged or destroyed. Pecan damage was extensive and approximately 20,000 acres of corn was flattened. It was estimated that 90% of crop damage across the area was due to the wind while 10% was due to the rain. Total property damage for the Florida panhandle, including beach erosion and crop losses, were estimated near 1/2 million dollars (1969 value, not current conversion value) with the major portion of the damage in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.
Stories about the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire often combine fact and myth. People generally agree about what occurred on and immediately after June 22, 1969. Myth enters the stories when people describe the fire as a primary cause of major milestones in the environmental movement. Regardless, the Cuyahoga River fire has become a symbol of water pollution and the environmental movement. Today, we celebrate this symbolism, not just the facts of the story.The fire took place in Cleveland, Ohio, a few miles north of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Heavy industry dominates this section of the river. Railroad bridges near Republic Steel trapped debris in the river, causing it to pile up. Oil on the water added to its flammability. A flare tossed from an overpassing train likely provided the spark that ignited the debris. The fire lasted for less than a half hour and resulted in minor damage to the railroad bridges.
There were 57 confirmed eruptions at some point during 1969 from 54 different volcanoes; 32 of those were new eruptions that started during the year. A stop date with "(continuing)" indicates that the eruption was considered to be ongoing as of the date indicated. Data is reported through the last data update (23 February 2023). Information about more recent eruptions can be found in the Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
Domestically Kennedy gave top priority to inflation, advocating a deflationary policy of high interest rates, a slowing of monetary growth, and a balanced budget. In late 1969 and early 1970, as the economy began to slow down in response to the Administration's measures, Kennedy continued to be a spokesman for these policies. However, when the Democrats realized great gains in the 1970 Congressional elections, Nixon brought in a new Secretary of the Treasury, John Connally, to give his Cabinet a more bipartisan character. Kennedy was appointed Ambassador-at-Large with Cabinet status and left Treasury early in 1971.
Yet since the iconic 1969 oil well blowout in Santa Barbara, California, there have been at least 44 oil spills, each over 10,000 barrels (420,000 gallons), affecting U.S. waters. The largest of which was the 2010 Deepwater Horizon well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico.
In 1969 the United States Supreme Court ruled in a 7-2 decision in favor of the students. The high court agreed that students' free rights should be protected and said, "Students don't shed their constitutional rights at the school house gates."
North Korea's recent threat to shoot down American military aircraft outside of its airspace recalls an infamous 1969 incident in which North Korean fighters shot down a U.S. Navy reconnaissance aircraft, killing the 31 American sailors aboard.
On April 15, 1969 two North Korean Mig-21 fighters shot down a U.S. Navy EC-121 reconnaissance aircraft over the Sea of Japan as it flew a regular surveillance mission in international airspace, 80 miles from the North Korean coast.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as "Gay Pride Day," but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the "day" soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
In addition, Class of 1969 Teaching Fellows are given access to $1000 in funds that can be used to support the development of a small project, or for other teaching-related resources. Many Class of 1969 Teaching Fellows also use this as an opportunity to develop and pilot initiatives that can be used as the basis for the education component of major award applications (such as the NSF Career Award).
How is the program funded?Established in 1990 through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment, this initiative became a permanent offering at Georgia Tech in 1994 when the Class of 1969 adopted the program as its 25th class reunion fundraising project. The program is funded through the Class of 1969 Teaching and Learning Endowment Fund.
Who should I contact with questions about the program?Contact Dr. Amanda Nolen for more information about the program. She can also put you in touch with past Class of 1969 Teaching Fellows, if you would like to discuss the program before submitting your application.
"The Class of 1969 was a spectacular experience, and especially enriching since we were all navigating a new, hybrid educational experience. Talking to colleagues outside of my discipline helped stimulate new ideas and methods for engaging students, and it was always an open space to share both challenges and successes. I learned so much during each of our sessions and the cohort helped open doors to new connections across the institute.
For the provided teaching project funds, I was able to hire a research assistant to help compile an invaluable database about the semester-long projects completed in a large survey course. Beyond providing a snapshot of work for one semester that will help me better understand trends as well as opportunities for curricular scaffolding, this database will also provide the foundation for future project goals. The Class of 1969 program provides invaluable logistical and financial support while facilitating reflective teaching practices that, especially in the tenure-track process, foreground innovation in the classroom." 041b061a72