1949

Mann Gulch fire in Montana

In 2012, Beth Wiemann writes Sallee and Rumsey at Mann Gulch for Bass Trombone and Video after the 1992 book Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean.

 

1955

The Vietnam War Begins

 

1960

Construction begins on the Arecibo Telescope by the United States Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

In 1968, Elizabeth Bell writes the Arecibo Sonata for Piano.

 

1963

Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I Have a Dream" speech during the Great March on Washington, D.C.

In 1971, Gordon Parmentier writes Eclipse for mixed choir, with organ or orchestra.
    
In 1968, Frederick C. Tillis writes Freedom for SATB a cappella.

 

1965

Widespread protests on involvement in the Vietnam War begin in the U.S.

In 1966-69, Burr Van Nostrand writes Voyage in a White Building I for male vocalist and mixed chamber orchestra after the 1926 poetry collection Voyages by Hart Crane.

 

1965

Malcolm X is assassinated at Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom

In 1974, T.J. Anderson writes In Memoriam Malcolm X for Medium Voice and Orchestra after the 1970 poem El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz by Robert Hayden.

 

1968

Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee

In 1979, T.J. Anderson writes Spirituals for Orchestra, Jazz Quartet, Chorus, Children's Choir, Tenor Solo, and Narrator after the 1975 poetry book Angle of Ascent by Robert Hayden.

 

1970

Kent State University protests of the Vietnam War

In 1971, Vally Weigl writes Requiem for Allison. Allison Krause was one of the four Kent State University protesters who lost their lives.

 

1970

The Women's Strike of Equality takes place in New York City

In 2015, Joyce Hope Suskind writes Celebration for Flute (or Violin), in remembrance.

 

1975

The Vietnam War Ends

In 1982, T.J. Anderson writes Soldier Boy, Soldier: An Opera in 2 Acts.
 - Full Score
 - Piano-Vocal Score

 

1976

America celebrates its bicentennial

That year, Ramon Zupko writes Proud Music of the Storm for Orchestra, Bands, Chorus, Dancers, Electronics, Narrators, Film, and Slides on poetry of Walt Whitman across his life (1838's "Our Future Lot" through 1892's "A Thought of Columbus").

 

1977

The Voyager I spacecraft is launched by NASA

In 1999, Richard McCandless writes Voyager for Percussion and Electronics.

 

1978

Jim Jones and members of the Peoples Temple murder 918 people in Jonestown, Guyana, including hundreds of American migrants, children, and U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan

In 1982, T.J. Anderson writes Jonestown for Children's Chorus and Piano.

 

1981

AIDS is first diagnosed in the United States

In 1989, Lee Gannon writes DERELICT for Flute.

 

1982

The Ipswich Chronicle reports various activities in Massachusetts - news, events, and house fires

In 1986, Frank Wigglesworth writes Police Log of the Ipswich Chronicle for SATB and piano.

 

1995

500,000 cases of AIDS reported in the United States

In 1995, Lee Gannon writes When My Head Spins for Piano.

 

2001

September 11 Attack on the Twin Towers

Numerous American composers immediately write musical responses and reflections. Karen Griebling's Elegy in Memoriam September 11, 2001; Frederick C. Tillis's For the Victims and Survivors of September 11 for big band and narrator; and Thomas L. Read's Watch in the Night for Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, and Piano.

One year later, Richard Brooks writes American Elegy for String Orchestra.

In 2020, two decades afterwards, Darleen Mitchell writes City of Dreams.
 - Baritone and Piano
 - Soprano and Piano
 - SSATTB a cappella

 

2003

Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist, is killed by an Israeli forces bulldozer while defending a Palestinian pharmacist's home from demolition

In 2004, Alice Shields writes Mioritza: Requiem for Rachel Corrie.
 - Trumpet and Electronics
 - Trombone and Electronics

 

2005

Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans and the Gulf Coast

In 2006, Earl Louis Stewart writes Katrina Lament, Identity 113, for Flute, Harp, and Strings or in a reduction for Flute and Piano.

 

2008

Americans elect the first Black president, Barack Obama

That year, John Eaton writes Our Four Candidates for Woodwind Quartet. After the election, T.J. Anderson writes In Front Of My Eyes: An Obama Celebration for Soprano and Mixed Chamber Ensemble.

 

2018

Right-wing extremist attacks at the Tree of Life – Or L'Simcha Congregation synagogue in Pittsburgh

That year, Michael Udow writes Tree of Life for Wind Quintet or for solo piano.

 

2026

The United States turns 250