The country entered 1964 reeling from the assassination of President Kennedy. The Warren Commission was convened and determined that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. The Civil Rights Act was signed into law and President Lyndon Johnson declared a War on Poverty. Despite that, there were race riots in many US cities. Congress authorized war against North Vietnam.
On the bright side, a young Cassius Clay defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight boxing championship. Beatle-mania kicked into high gear and the Rolling Stones released their debut album. Buffalo wings were first made at the Anchor Bar, in of course, Buffalo, New York.