I was embarrassed, but she laughed and we started talking. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The author’s perspective on the world shifted dramatically in 1963. This year marked a turning point in their life, a year of personal growth and self-discovery. The author’s newfound awareness of the world’s complexities and challenges, coupled with their own personal experiences, led to a profound shift in their perspective.

The space race was a competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. This competition was fueled by a desire for technological superiority and a sense of national pride. The United States, under President John F. Kennedy, sought to surpass the Soviet Union in space exploration. President Kennedy’s ambitious goal was to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade. This goal, known as the “Moon Shot,” became a defining moment in American history. The space race was not just about technological advancement; it was also a reflection of the Cold War.

The Cuban missile crisis was a pivotal moment in history, a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the potential for catastrophic consequences when superpowers clash. It was a time of intense global tension, with the United States and the Soviet Union locked in a deadly game of brinkmanship. The crisis began when the Soviets, under Nikita Khrushchev, secretly installed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the US mainland. This move was a direct challenge to US security and a clear violation of the existing agreements.

We were given a fallout shelter map, and we had to navigate our way through the basement of the University of Alaska’s gymnasium. The experience was terrifying. We were surrounded by strangers, all huddled together in the dark, listening to the sounds of the simulated nuclear explosion. The air was thick with fear and anticipation.