1960

What Was Happening in 1960

The dawn of a new decade as the world stood on the brink of seismic cultural and political change.

Born in

Number 1 Songs in 1960 — UK and US Charts

UK #1

"It's Now or Never"

Elvis Presley

Spent eight weeks at number one and became the best-selling single of 1960 in the UK, with over one million copies sold.

US #1

"The Theme from A Summer Place"

Percy Faith

Topped the Billboard Hot 100 for nine consecutive weeks and became the number one single of the entire year in the US.

Biggest Films of 1960 — Box Office Hits

Ben-Hur

Box Office: $74 million

William Wyler's epic swept the 1960 Academy Awards with a record 11 Oscars, a feat not matched until Titanic in 1998. Charlton Heston starred in the iconic chariot race.

Fashion and Style of 1960

Fashion, clothing and visual culture from the era

Architecture and Buildings of 1960

Buildings completed and structures opened in 1960

More About 1960

What Was Happening — A journey through the years