1960s Important News and Events, Key Technology Fashion and Popular Culture







Money and Inflation 1960's

If you have $100 Converted from 1960 to 2005 it would be equivalent to $679.09 today



In 1960 a new house cost $12,700.00 and by 1969 was $15,500.00

In 1960 the average income per year was $5,315.00 and by 1969 was $8,540.00

In 1960 a gallon of gas was 25 cents and by 1969 was 35 cents

In 1960 the average cost of new car was $2,600.00 and by 1969 was $3,270.00



A few more prices from the 60's and how much things cost

Volkswagen beetle $1,769

Ford Mustang 2 door hardtop $2368

From Car Prices in the 60's

Misses Swinging Shifts Skirts $5.00

Oxford men's Shoes $12.95

1960 Men's Pocket Watch $9.44

Automatic Can Opener $8.88

Automatic Electric Blanket $9.94

Oranges 89 cents for 2 dozen

Oven ready Turkeys 39 cents

per pound From Price of Food 60's

Modern Walnut Bookcase $29.97

Coal $14.95 ton





To provide an estimate of inflation we have given a guide to the value of $100 US Dollars for the first year in the decade to the equivalent in today's moneyIf you have $100 Converted from 1960 to 2005 it would be equivalent to $679.09 todayIn 1960 a new house cost $12,700.00 and by 1969 was $15,500.00In 1960 the average income per year was $5,315.00 and by 1969 was $8,540.00In 1960 a gallon of gas was 25 cents and by 1969 was 35 centsIn 1960 the average cost of new car was $2,600.00 and by 1969 was $3,270.00Volkswagen beetle $1,769Ford Mustang 2 door hardtop $2368From Car Prices in the 60'sMisses Swinging Shifts Skirts $5.00Oxford men's Shoes $12.951960 Men's Pocket Watch $9.44Automatic Can Opener $8.88Automatic Electric Blanket $9.94Oranges 89 cents for 2 dozenOven ready Turkeys 39 centsper pound From Price of Food 60'sModern Walnut Bookcase $29.97Coal $14.95 ton





What Happened in the 1960s The events listed below we have tried to put a small paragraph on the specific year page providing additional information )

1960 What Happened in 1960 History

Democrat John F. Kennedy wins the U.S. Presidential Election after defeating Republican Richard Nixon. Kennedy became the first president and was the youngest person to have been elected into the highest office at the time. Togo, Cote D'Ivoire, Chad, Benin, Mauritania, Senegal, and the Central African Republic gain independence from France. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is created. The United States decides to send 3,500 U.S. troops to Vietnam. TIROS-1, the first weather satellite, is launched by the U.S.





1961 What Happened in 1961 History

Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person in space. One month later, Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space. Construction on the Berlin Wall begins in an effort to separate East and West Berlin. The Bay of Pigs invasion is an unsuccessful U,S, backed operation to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba. The Peace Corps is created. WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) is created.





1962 What Happened in 1962 History

The Cuban Missile Crisis has the world on the edge of another World War as the United States and USSR come close to launching nuclear attacks. James Meredith becomes the first African-American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. The comic book character of Spider-Man makes his debut in the Amazing Fantasy #15 comic. The Beatles release their first single, "Love Me Do," in the United Kingdom. Sam Walton opens the first Wal-Mart store in Arkansas.





1963 What Happened in 1963 History

United States President John F. Kennedy is assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald. U.S. Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr. gives is famous "I Have a Dream" speech. The United States begins to use Zip Codes. Yugoslavia becomes a socialist federal republic and President Josip Tito is appointed as "President for Life." The BBC broadcasts the very first episode of the iconic television show "Doctor Who."





1964 What Happened in 1964 History

United States President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. NASA's Mariner 4 space probe successfully approaches Mars and becomes the first spacecraft to take images of a planet from deep space. Sidney Poitier wins the Academy Award for "Best Actor" becoming the first black actor to win that honor. The computer coding language BASIC (Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is introduced. The Ford Motor Company begins to produce and sell the Ford Mustang.





1965 What Happened in 1965 History

The Voting Rights Act is signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. Soviet Cosmonaut Aleksei Leonov becomes the first person to perform a space walk. Martin Luther King, Jr. leads a peaceful civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama. The Vietnam War escalates and opposition to it begins to mount as anti-Vietnam protests become more common. Mary Quant designs the mini-skirt in London and it becomes a fashion craze.





1966 What Happened in 1966 History

The first episode of the popular television show "Star Trek" airs. The Soviet Union's Luna 9 unmanned spacecraft lands on the Moon. Botswana and Lesotho gain independence from England. Indira Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister of India. The Canada Pension Plan is introduced in Canada.





1967 What Happened in 1967 History

Rolling Stone publishes its first magazine issue. The Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs play against each other in the first Super Bowl, with the Packers winning 35 to 10. South African doctor Christiaan Barnard completes the first heart transplant operation. The 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified. Thurgood Marshall is appointed to the Supreme Court and becomes the first African-American





1968 What Happened in 1968 History

Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in April by James Earl Ray. Egypt's Aswan Dam is completed. The Civil Rights Act of 1968 is signed into law by President Johnson. Richard Nixon wins the United States presidential election. The first manned Apollo mission, Apollo 7, is launched by NASA.





1969 What Happened in 1969 History

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first men to arrive on the Moon during NASA's Apollo 11 mission. The Woodstock music festival takes place in New York and features such acts as Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, and The Who. ARPANET, the predecessor to the Internet, relays its first communications between UCLA and Stanford. The popular children's television show "Sesame Street" debuts. The United Kingdom abolishes the death penalty.





Other Major Events From The 60's The 60's were a decade once again dominated by a war ( VIETNAM )not a world war but the effects were still felt throughout the world. It is also the start of showing how the people can effect politics through the power of "peaceful" demonstrations , students were the driving force because with education comes empowerment and with empowerment comes a voice , and in the 60's students learnt how to use that voice.



In the West although politicians would have liked to stopped demonstrations ( and tried ) against their policies, due to "freedom of speech" it was not possible



Many of the conflicts during the 60's could be considered to be part of the ongoing cold war between the East and the West ( Communism -- Capitalism ) , but due to the Nuclear Capabilities of both sides nether wanted to start a full scale war as they realized there could be no winner but both believed their ideology was best, they tried in other ways to influence the politics throughout the world.



Many believe the closest the world has come to a World Wide Nuclear War was in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis



John F. Kennedy became the 35th President of the United States From January 20, 1961 till his assassination on November 22, 1963 at Dallas, Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald. His presidency although cut short due to his murder is remembered for multiple reasons including his commitment that the United States Of America should commit itself to landing a man on the Moon and returning him back safely to the earth before the end of the decade. The Cuban Crisis and Bay of Pigs Invasion. And creating the Peace Corps to help underdeveloped nations in areas such as education, farming, health care and construction. For such a short term in office his achievements endeared him to the American People.



During the 60's the Charismatic Martin Luther King who was a civil rights advocate and exceptionally gifted speaker , followed other great leaders throughout history by using non-violent means together with the power of speech and managed to create change through his influence created by the strong following he had. He was assassinated on April 4th 1968 By James Earl Ray



The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and The Voting Rights Act of 1965 changed the lives of the African Americans minority by ensuring equal rights for all



The Sixties also bought the space race to new heights and ended the race to land a man on the moon and bring him back when America through the Apollo 11 mission on July 20,1969 put Neil Alden Armstrong and Edwin Eugene 'Buzz' Aldrin, Jr. became the first humans to land on the Moon fulfilling the American Dream to place a man on the moon before the Russians ( Space Race ). The words spoken by Neil Armstrong "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" going into the history books for now and future generations to come.



Both martin Luther King and John F Kennedy were assassinated during the 60's







1960's Mens and Womens and Childrens Fashion Clothes Early 60's for women wore mini skirts and leather boots and men wore Paisley shirts and velvet trousers Later 60's from 1966 started the introduction of Psychedelic clothes with bright colors for both men and women and the age of the Hippie is born. Men started to wear hair longer and women identified with the hippie look by wearing skirts and dresses longer often known as Maxies and anything and everything had color including the body

The examples below are from Our new updated Sixties Fashion Section, with examples of Ladies, Mens and Children's Fashion Clothes and Accessory examples including dresses, hats, shoes and much more take a little time to browse through them.

Early 60's for women wore mini skirts and leather boots and men wore Paisley shirts and velvet trousers Later 60's from 1966 started the introduction of Psychedelic clothes with bright colors for both men and women and the age of the Hippie is born. Men started to wear hair longer and women identified with the hippie look by wearing skirts and dresses longer often known as Maxies and anything and everything had color including the bodyThe examples below are from Our new updated Sixties Fashion Section, with examples of Ladies, Mens and Children's Fashion Clothes and Accessory examples including dresses, hats, shoes and much more take a little time to browse through them. Ladies Dresses From The 1960's





Part of our Mens Fashion From the Sixties





Part of our Collection of Childrens Clothes From the 1960's











Childrens Toys From The 1960's Kids Toys From the 60s





Popular toys of the 1960s were related to space travel and the moon. For girls the Barbie doll was a must-have and for boys the G.I. Joe action figure was popular. A heavy influence from Children's TV shows and pop culture of the time also meant that toys featuring specific characters like Caspar and The Flintstones were featured heavily. Music was also a factor with many toys featuring the most popular band of the time, the Beatles. Games were also popular with more variety of board games, table games, and puzzles available.





Sixties Cars Cars From the 60s

Chevrolet Corvette

The First two seater sports car from General Motors

Jaguar E Type

Truly one of the great classic cars to appear in the 60's Prices From $5990

Austin Mini Coopper S

This was one of the cars that epitomized the 60's and who can forget the original Italian Job Price Mini Cooper $1595 and Mini Cooper S $1950

Dodge Charger RT

The Muscle Car from the 60's Fast with 7.2 Litre Engine and looks to match



The First two seater sports car from General MotorsTruly one of the great classic cars to appear in the 60's Prices From $5990This was one of the cars that epitomized the 60's and who can forget the original Italian Job Price Mini Cooper $1595 and Mini Cooper S $1950The Muscle Car from the 60's Fast with 7.2 Litre Engine and looks to match





Sporting Changes In The 60's Our Detailed Sports History Section

Baseball

Old ballparks including Ebbett's Field, Sportsman's Park, Forbes Field and Crosley Field are torn down, making way for newer, shinier stadiums many as indoor pitches.

Players Association forces owners to up salaries and provide better benefits including pensions.

Basketball

1963 - 1964 Season Clash Between Owners and Players ( who refuse to play ) just before All-Star Game over wages and pensions. Owners agree to demands allowing match to continue.

New League The ABA or American Basketball Association formed in 1967 luring away NBA stars and rookies out of college.

Association Football (Soccer)

Pele and Brazil dominate the game in the 60's Pele real name was Edison Arantes do Nascimento and he broke records each time he played.

Britain the home of soccer win the world cup in 1966.

American Football

Offensive formations evolve in both the college and pro ranks including the wishbone and the shotgun Formation

American Football League ALF Created and Later Merge With NFL

Super Bowls Born As A ( Championship Game Between NFL and AFL 1967 and 1968 ) Green Bay Packers Win Under Vince Lombardi

Ice Hockey

The Red Wings and the Canadiens Dominate The Game

NHL Expands

Old ballparks including Ebbett's Field, Sportsman's Park, Forbes Field and Crosley Field are torn down, making way for newer, shinier stadiums many as indoor pitches.Players Association forces owners to up salaries and provide better benefits including pensions.1963 - 1964 Season Clash Between Owners and Players ( who refuse to play ) just before All-Star Game over wages and pensions. Owners agree to demands allowing match to continue.New League The ABA or American Basketball Association formed in 1967 luring away NBA stars and rookies out of college.Pele and Brazil dominate the game in the 60's Pele real name was Edison Arantes do Nascimento and he broke records each time he played.Britain the home of soccer win the world cup in 1966.Offensive formations evolve in both the college and pro ranks including the wishbone and the shotgun FormationAmerican Football League ALF Created and Later Merge With NFLSuper Bowls Born As A ( Championship Game Between NFL and AFL 1967 and 1968 ) Green Bay Packers Win Under Vince LombardiThe Red Wings and the Canadiens Dominate The GameNHL Expands





Technology Although the USSR appeared to be ahead in the space race in the 50's and 60's the ultimate prize went to the United States in 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were landed on the moon and returned safely back to earth, many who remember the immortal words " One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind ".

Inventions The Year Invented Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use )



Cash Dispenser ----- 1969 Turkey by Luther Simjian

CCDs ----- 1969 USA Charge Coupled Device - to capture image

Communication Satellite ----- 1962 USA Telstar

Computer Mouse ----- 1964 USA by Douglas Engelbart

Fibre Optics ----- 1966 England by Charles Keo and George Hockham

Heart Pacemaker ----- 1960 USA by Wilson Greatbatch

Human Space Travel ----- 1961 Russia Yuri Gagarin - the first human in space

Hypertext ----- 1965 USA for linking text

Internet ----- 1969 USA US military

Kevlar ----- 1966 USA by Stephanie Kwolek

Laser ----- 1960 USA by Theodore Maiman

LEDs ----- 1962 USA Light Emitting Diodes - used for displays

Manned Moon Landing ----- 1969 USA Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin walk on Moon

Moon Landing ----- 1966 Russia Luna 9 lands softly on the Moon

Optical Disk ----- 1965 USA by James Russell - now Compact Disk CD / DVD

Portable Calculator ----- 1967 USA Texas Instruments

Space Docking ----- 1966 USA Gemini VIII docks with an orbiting satellite

Space Walk ----- 1965 Russia Aleksei Leonov - first person outside space vehicle

Tape Cassette ----- 1963 Netherlands

Venus Probe ----- 1962 USA Mariner 2 - the first planetary probe

Weather Satellite ----- 1960 USA Tiros I

Inventions The Year Invented Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use )----- 1969 Turkey by Luther Simjian----- 1969 USA Charge Coupled Device - to capture image----- 1962 USA Telstar----- 1964 USA by Douglas Engelbart----- 1966 England by Charles Keo and George Hockham----- 1960 USA by Wilson Greatbatch----- 1961 Russia Yuri Gagarin - the first human in space----- 1965 USA for linking text----- 1969 USA US military----- 1966 USA by Stephanie Kwolek----- 1960 USA by Theodore Maiman----- 1962 USA Light Emitting Diodes - used for displays----- 1969 USA Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin walk on Moon----- 1966 Russia Luna 9 lands softly on the Moon----- 1965 USA by James Russell - now Compact Disk CD / DVD History of Hifi and Music Players and Media ----- 1967 USA Texas Instruments----- 1966 USA Gemini VIII docks with an orbiting satellite----- 1965 Russia Aleksei Leonov - first person outside space vehicle----- 1963 Netherlands----- 1962 USA Mariner 2 - the first planetary probe----- 1960 USA Tiros I





Popular Culture 1960s Smiley Face found on anything and everything around the world including T Shirts , it's popularity was at it's peak in the mid to late 1960's

This decade can also be summed up with a few well chosen phrases which epitomize the decade " The Space Race ", " Cuban Missile Crisis" , " Continuing Cold War", "Kennedy Assassination", " Martin Luther King", "Vietnam", "Civil Rights and Riots", "Hippies and Flower Power" , "The Beatles and Rock and Roll"

This was the start of the skateboarding era which was started by some surfing enthusiasts in California who were frustrated by the weather and put roller skates on the front and back end of wooden planks



More About

Some of the Most Well Known Movie Stars of the Sixties

John Wayne

Elizabeth Taylor

Richard Burton

Paul Newman

Elvis Presley

Julie Andrews

Doris Day

Roch Hudson

TV Shows 1960s Perry Mason 1957 - 1966.

Route 66 1960 - 1964.

Rawhide 1959 - 1966.

The Monkees 1966 - 1968.

The Saint 1966 - 1969.

The Prisoner 1967 - 1968.

Ironside 1967 - 1975. .

Hogan's Heroes 1965 - 1971.

Lassie 1954 - 1973.

Flipper 1964 - 1967.

The Benny Hill Show 1969 - 1989.

Monty Python's Flying Circus 1969 - 1974.

Bonanza 1959 - 1973.

The Brady Bunch 1969 - 1974.

Peyton Place 1964 - 1969.

The Fugitive 1963 - 1967.

77 Sunset Strip 1958 - 1964.

The Man From Uncle 1964 - 1968.

Doctor Who 1963 - 1989.

Gilligan's Island 1964 - 1967.

Gunsmoke 1955 - 1975.

Columbo 1968 - 2003.

The Virginian 1962 - 1971.

Mr Ed 1961 - 1966.

The Twilight Zone ( Original Series ) 1959 - 1964.

I Dream of Jeannie 1965 - 1970.

Bewitched 1964 - 1972.

Steptoe and Son 1st Series 1962 - 1965. 2nd Series 1970 - 1974

Get Smart 1965 - 1970

Green Acres 1965 - 1971. Popular 60s Music

In the 1960s popular music began to diversify and more sub-genres emerged as the worlds of R&B and Rock 'n' Roll became more profitable. It became easier to classify types of music in a very specific way with psychedelic, surf, folk, roots, hard rock, Motown, Acapella, all becoming recognizable in their distinctiveness. Music became a huge influence on the younger generation and was used to define the lifestyles of rockers, hippies, and protesters. The music of the time often reflected the changing social norms of the decade like the fight for civil rights for minorities and women and the anti-war movement. The British Invasion also made its mark with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones as two of the most popular bands emerging from the decade, gaining worldwide notoriety and popularity that has lasted up to the present.



From Our 60's Music Section







This was the Decade of thefound on anything and everything around the world including T Shirts , it's popularity was at it's peak in the mid to late 1960'sThis decade can also be summed up with a few well chosen phrases which epitomize the decade " The Space Race ", " Cuban Missile Crisis" , " Continuing Cold War", "Kennedy Assassination", " Martin Luther King", "Vietnam", "Civil Rights and Riots", "Hippies and Flower Power" , "The Beatles and Rock and Roll"This was the start of theera which was started by some surfing enthusiasts in California who were frustrated by the weather and put roller skates on the front and back end of wooden planksMore About First Man on The Moon Some of the Most Well Known Movie Stars of the SixtiesJohn WayneElizabeth TaylorRichard BurtonPaul NewmanElvis PresleyJulie AndrewsDoris DayRoch HudsonIn the 1960s popular music began to diversify and more sub-genres emerged as the worlds of R&B and Rock 'n' Roll became more profitable. It became easier to classify types of music in a very specific way with psychedelic, surf, folk, roots, hard rock, Motown, Acapella, all becoming recognizable in their distinctiveness. Music became a huge influence on the younger generation and was used to define the lifestyles of rockers, hippies, and protesters. The music of the time often reflected the changing social norms of the decade like the fight for civil rights for minorities and women and the anti-war movement. The British Invasion also made its mark with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones as two of the most popular bands emerging from the decade, gaining worldwide notoriety and popularity that has lasted up to the present.





Sixties Homes

1963 New Homes Lowell Massachusetts

large tree wooded plots, colored bath and kitchen fixtures, full basement Formica kitchen 3 bedrooms From $15,500

Electrical Home Goods

The growth of smaller TV's and the continued interest in popular music more and more people buy hi-fi music players, families also purchased more and more kitchen appliances ranging from dish washers to toasters, another common theme is the growth of "Portable" in TV, Music even dishwashers

From Our 1960's Home Appliances Page

Homes and Furniture From The Sixties

Furniture design changed as more modern tastes come to the fore and with the increased use of more modern materials allowed including color-coordinated, vinyl-coated wallpaper with tables including durable high-pressure plastic top in a woodgrain pattern

From Our 1960's Home Furnishing Page

Example of a home from our Property for sale in the 1960's 1963 New Homes Lowell Massachusettslarge tree wooded plots, colored bath and kitchen fixtures, full basement Formica kitchen 3 bedrooms From $15,500The growth of smaller TV's and the continued interest in popular music more and more people buy hi-fi music players, families also purchased more and more kitchen appliances ranging from dish washers to toasters, another common theme is the growth of "Portable" in TV, Music even dishwashersFurniture design changed as more modern tastes come to the fore and with the increased use of more modern materials allowed including color-coordinated, vinyl-coated wallpaper with tables including durable high-pressure plastic top in a woodgrain pattern









The Sixties dominated by the Vietnam War, Civil Rights Protests, the 60s also saw the assassinations of US President John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Cuban Missile Crisis, and finally ended on a good note when the first man is landed on the moon .Jump To 1960's Fashions -- Toys -- Cars -- Popular Culture -- Homes -- Technology -- Cost Of Living -- Sports -- Music