The 1960s
An Introduction to the '60s
The 1960s was one of the most tumultuous decades in the history of the United States. It was a decade that included the Vietnam War which was unpopular to many people. The war led to some peaceful as well as violent protests. American universities were in disarray as many of the protests occurred on university campuses.
The Civil Rights movement occurred during the '60s with the passage of the Civil Rights Law of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Civil Rights Law outlawed any form of discrimination in employment, hotels, restaurants, and transportation due to race, ethnicity, gender, or religion. The Voting Rights Act outlawed literacy tests or any other tests that could be used to deprive people of their right to vote. With the Civil Rights Movement also came protests and riots in such places as Watts in Los Angeles, Detroit, and other large communities.
The decade was also marked by three unimaginable assassinations of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Dallas, TX on November 22, 1963; Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis, TN on April 4. 1968; and Robert Kennedy in Los Angeles, CA on June 6, 1968. This led to many conspiracy theories as well as a distrust of what happened during the assassinations. Again, it was an exciting period but a period of deep turmoil in society.
The Pillars of Peoria High School in the '60s
Six people were instrumental in setting the groundwork for Peoria High School. Throughout this website, you will be introduced to these six extraordinary people and learn about their contributions to the high school. They are not listed in any order of importance since they all were important in the history of Peoria High School.
The 1960s
Graduates of the 1960s
'60s Administrators & Teachers
Graduates of the 1960s
See if you can spot a familiar face in the Senior Classes of the '60s in the Vault.
Pillars of the 1960s
'60s Administrators & Teachers
Graduates of the 1960s
Ira Murphy and Richard Craig were integral to the development of PHS.
Meet these two "pillars" in the Vault to find out about their contributions.
'60s Administrators & Teachers
'60s Administrators & Teachers
'60s Administrators & Teachers
Pictures of administrators and teachers with names, the years they served, and the subject they taught can be found in the Vault below.
PHS Athletics in the 1960s
PHS Athletics in the 1960s
'60s Administrators & Teachers
Athletics really took off in the 1960s. Peoria High School was known for its excellent football and basketball teams.
PHS Student Life 1960s
PHS Athletics in the 1960s
The Lottery and the Draft
"Panther Purrs" was the name of the Peoria High School newspaper. Catch up on what was happening on campus during the '60s.
The Lottery and the Draft
PHS Athletics in the 1960s
The Lottery and the Draft
By the late 1960’s more and more young people were dying in Vietnam. The draft system wasn’t working because too many people were able to avoid being drafted, so the lottery was instituted.
Big Changes for PUSD
Entertainment in the 1960s
Entertainment in the 1960s
During the '60s the Peoria Unified School District experienced many changes based on growth and development in Peoria and surrounding cities.
Entertainment in the 1960s
Entertainment in the 1960s
Entertainment in the 1960s
Find out what TV shows, music, and movies were popular during the '60s. Check out the Vault.
1960s Timeline
Entertainment in the 1960s
1960s Timeline
Take a trip down memory lane to see what was happening in the 1960s. The 1960s Vault has the top news of the time.