Forrest Gump (1994)

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Forrest Gump is a 1994 drama film that's loosely based on Winston Groom's novel of the same name. The movie narrates Forrest Gump's peculiar life from his childhood to parenthood. Along the way, Forrest (mostly on accident) is present at many historical events, but the "love of his life," Jenny, always seems to elude him. Though Forrest is not intelligent, he still manages to live a successful and fulfilling life. Because, as Forrest said: "Life's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."

Historical Connections

Forrest sitting next to The Beatles' John Lennon.

Throughout his lifetime, Forrest witnesses/influences many "historic" events and meets many pertinent figures in United States history. Some of those events and/or people include:

• Forrest meets Elvis Presley as a kid.
• Forrest was present when Governor Wallace blocked the entrance to a hall at Alabama University during desegregation.
• Forrest meets President John F. Kennedy at the White House for his football accomplishments
• Forrest enlists in the army and serves in Vietnam.
• Forrest was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving his comrades during the war, and subsequently met President Lyndon B. Johnson.
• On accident, Forrest participates in a peace march on Washington protesting the Vietnam War.
• Forrest meets President Richard Nixon for his accomplishments playing ping pong.
• Forrest alerts security when he sees a group of people rummaging through a room opposite his at the Watergate Hotel; the perpetrators were Nixon's men breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
• Forrest meets legendary Beatle John Lennon on a TV talk-show.
• Forrest's shrimp boat is one of the only boats to survive Hurricane Carman.
• Forrest invents the "shit happens" slogan and the smiley face tee-shirt while on his cross country run.
• Forrest and Lt. Dan invest in Apple computer company before it was well-known.