Forrest is a completely fictional character created for the novel and film. His life story is the narrative frame for exploring historical events.

Jenny is a fictional character representing aspects of the counter-culture movements and social changes from the 1960s to the early 1980s.

Lt. Dan is a fictional character representing the experiences and challenges faced by many Vietnam veterans, particularly those severely wounded.

Bubba is a fictional character serving as Forrest's friend and inspiration for the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.

Mrs. Gump is a fictional character who provides Forrest with guidance and memorable sayings.

Elvis was a real historical figure. However, the film's depiction of Forrest teaching him his iconic dance moves is entirely fictional and trivializes Presley's actual musical and cultural influences.

This is a fictional conceit; Elvis Presley's performance style had complex roots in blues, gospel, and country music, not Forrest's leg brace movements.

The event depicted, Governor George Wallace's "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door" opposing integration in June 1963, occurred as shown. Forrest's presence is fictional.

All-American college football teams were honored at the White House. Forrest's specific meeting and dialogue with JFK are fictional insertions.

While Forrest's specific unit and actions are fictional, the film portrays the jungle environment, guerrilla warfare tactics (ambushes), and intense combat characteristic of the Vietnam War experience.

LBJ did award Medals of Honor for Vietnam service. The specific ceremony involving Forrest is a fictional event composited with archive footage.

Large anti-war protests occurred frequently on the National Mall during the Vietnam era. Forrest's specific participation, speech, and reunion are fictional elements.

The U.S. table tennis team did visit China in 1971, opening diplomatic relations ("Ping Pong Diplomacy"). Forrest being a key player on the Army team is fictional.

President Nixon did meet the U.S. table tennis team upon their return from China. Forrest's presence is the fictional element.

While John Lennon appeared on Dick Cavett's show, Forrest Gump did not, nor did he provide inspiration for the song "Imagine."

This is a comedic, fictional explanation for the discovery of the Watergate break-in. The actual discovery was made by security guard Frank Wills.

Hurricane Carmen was a real, powerful hurricane that struck the Gulf Coast in 1974, causing significant damage. Forrest's boat being the sole survivor is fictional narrative luck.

Apple Computer Inc. was founded in the 1970s and became hugely successful. The idea of an early, lucrative investment is historically plausible, but Forrest's specific investment via Lt. Dan is fictional.

While several people have run across the United States, Forrest's specific run, motivations, and the cult following depicted are entirely fictional.

Jenny's journey through hippie culture, anti-war protests, drug use, and the disco era reflects real social and cultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s, although her specific story is fictional.

Jenny's illness and death in the early 1980s align with the emergence and timeline of the AIDS epidemic. While not explicitly named, it serves as a historically relevant context for her fictional fate.

The film effectively portrays the look, social atmosphere (including segregation), and feel of the American South during these decades.

The setting for the desegregation confrontation accurately reflects the architecture and general appearance of a university campus in that era.

The film realistically depicts the dense jungle terrain, weather conditions, military equipment, and base camps typical of the Vietnam War setting.

Key locations like the National Mall during a protest and the exterior of the Watergate complex are recreated accurately for the time periods depicted.

The portrayal of the docks, boats, and community life accurately reflects the atmosphere of a Gulf Coast shrimping town in the 1970s.

The film meticulously tracks changes in fashion, hairstyles, and vehicle designs from the 1950s to the early 1980s, enhancing the sense of time passing.

The technical integration of Forrest into real historical footage (with presidents, etc.) is seamless and a key element of the film's style, effectively blurring fiction and reality visually.

The extensive soundtrack features iconic songs from each era Forrest lives through, accurately reflecting the popular music of the time and enhancing the historical mood.

The film effectively uses Forrest's journey to showcase shifts in American society regarding race, war, gender roles, and politics across several decades.