1940: The United States watched the beginnings of World War II and considered intervention. Eventually the country was drawn into the conflict.

1961: The United States watches the beginnings of the Vietnam conflict. Eventually, the country was drawn into the war.

Today:While there are no widespread wars, the United States retains a position as the world's peacekeeper and considers intervention in numerous localized conflicts.

1940: The growth of war-related industry drew nearly 12 million women in the workforce. However when the war ended, women's pay went down and they earned much less than men.

1963: The beginnings of the modern feminist movement take root, with the publication of Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique.

Today: Women struggle to balance the demands of work and home life. There is still a significant disparity in pay: women earn much less than men for the same work. The feminist movement is on...