Remembering 1966

Let's reminisce about what was happening in the world 53 years ago.

Discover more interesting anecdotes that your clients remember and add to the list below.

Events

• March 1966 - 200,000 people attend anti Vietnam war protests around the world.
• Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, refuses to serve in Vietnam and declares himself a 'conscientious objector'.
• March 1966 - The Rolling Stones arrive in Australia.
• The first artificial heart operation is performed in South Africa by Dr. Christian Barnard.
• Flooding of the Arno river in Italy destroys countless artworks and kills 113 people.
• Colour TV makes its debut in November 1966.
• Tokyo officially becomes the largest city in the world, taking the lead from New York.
• Russian spacecraft 'Luna' is the first to orbit the moon.

Entertainment/TV

• The 'Star Trek' series commences with the first episode 'The Man Trap'.
• The book 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote is released.
• The last British concert by The Beatles takes place at Wembley in May 1966.
• 'Lost in Space' is a popular TV show.
• Other Popular TV shows: The Beverley Hillbillies, Bewitched, Bonanza.
• Jacqueline Susann sells 30 million copies of her Book 'Valley of the Dolls'.
• The mini-skirt and pantyhose become fashionable.

Lifestyle

• The early 1960's were reminiscent of the 1950's however by the mid 1960's the fashion 'revolt' was in full swing and spread like wildfire to the rest of the world. Young men had long hair and wore fitted trousers, girls wore coloured fishnet tights, mini-skirts, fancy boots and geometric hairstyles.
• Uniform daylight saving time is first observed in North America.
• The motto of this generation is 'Live and Let Live' .
• The Beatles end the reign of 'The Twist'.
• Jacqueline Kennedy makes the Pillbox hat famous along with her ¾ sleeve outfits.
• The United States becomes the first nation in the world to require a health warning on cigarette packages. “Caution: Cigarette smoking may be hazardous to your health”.

Popular Movies

• Georgie Girl
• The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
• Alfie
• Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
• A Man and a Woman
• 'The Sound of Music' (Awarded Best Picture Oscar in 1966)
• The first 'Batman' is released
• Dr. Zhivago
• Alfie

Popular Songs

Ask clients if they remember the singers of these songs.

• These Boots Were Made for Walking - Nancy Sinatra
• Green Green Grass of Home – Tom Jones
• Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
• We Can Work It Out - The Beatles
• Yellow Submarine - The Beatles
• Monday Monday – The Mamas & The Papas
• California Dreaming – The Mamas & The Papas
• Paint it Black - Rolling Stones
• As Tears Goes By – Rolling Stones
• Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra
• You Don't Have to say You Love Me - Dusty Sprinfield

More Trivia

• In North America, Gatorade, the original sports drink, is developed by the university of Florida.
• Nestle introduces “Taster's Choice” freeze-dried instant coffee.
• The war in Vietnam is ongoing.
• Lyndon B. Johnson is the President of the United States.
• In Canada, the 'Medical Care Act' is passed in parliament; which means that all Canadians now have access to medical treatment regardless of whether they can afford it or not.
• Canadian Prime Minister is Lester B. Pearson.
• England wins the FIFA 1966 World Cup at Wembley after defeating Germany.
• Jack Nicklaus wins the 30th Master Tournament (golf).
• Bobbi Gibb is the first woman to run the Boston Marathon.
• In the UK, the Labour Party wins the general election in March 1966. The Prime Minister is Harold Wilson.
• The British singing group The Beatles reign supreme all over the world.
• In Australia, Harold Holt is sworn in on January, 26 as Prime Minister of Australia. He gradually dismantles the 'White Australia' policy, increasing access to non-European migrants and refugees. He also supports the referendum for the removal of the discriminatory clause in Australia's Constitution under which Aboriginal people are not counted in the census.
• The three Beaumont children disappear on Glenelg beach, Adelaide – South Australia, and are never seen again.
• Lyndon Johnson visits Australia.
• The decimal currency is introduced to Australia in February 1966.
• The first episode of 'Play School' airs in Australia on July 18th - it's still going today!
• French President Charles de Gaulle visit the Soviet Union.

1966 Farewells

• Montgomery Cliff (Hollywood Actor)
• Walt Disney (Founder of Disney empire)
• Evelyn Waugh (British Novelist)
• Jayne Mansfield (American Actor)