1969: The African American community has secured major legal victories as part of the civil rights movement, but blacks remain economically depressed in comparison to whites.

1990: African Americans have made economic advances due in part to affirmative action and other social initiatives, and black-owned businesses are on the rise.

Today: Despite major advances, African Americans continue to encounter discrimination and remain significantly more likely than whites to be poor.

1969: President Richard Nixon leads the United States in the bloody and extended Vietnam War, which later ends in complete U.S. withdrawal.

1990: President George H. W. Bush prepares to send U.S. forces into the Persian Gulf after Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait.

Today: Years after President George W. Bush deploys U.S. forces to invade and conquer Iraq, the United States military remains engaged in the violent and unstable country.