World Events in 1963
Assassination of President Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas on 22 November. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested but was himself murdered by Jack Ruby two days later, spawning decades of conspiracy theories.
March on Washington
Over 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic 'I Have a Dream' speech. The march was a watershed moment for the American civil rights movement.
The Profumo Affair
Secretary of State for War John Profumo resigned after lying to Parliament about his relationship with Christine Keeler, who was also linked to a Soviet naval attaché. The scandal severely damaged Harold Macmillan's government.
The Great Train Robbery
A gang led by Bruce Reynolds stole £2.6 million from a Royal Mail train in Buckinghamshire. It was the largest robbery in British history at the time and captivated the public imagination.
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Signed
The US, UK, and Soviet Union signed the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, prohibiting nuclear weapons tests in the atmosphere, underwater, and in outer space. It was the first arms control agreement of the nuclear age.
Organisation of African Unity Founded
Thirty-two African nations came together in Addis Ababa to establish the OAU. The organisation aimed to promote unity, sovereignty, and the eradication of colonialism across the continent.
Music in 1963
"She Loves You"
The Beatles
The Beatles' breakthrough hit spent six weeks at number one across two separate runs and became the best-selling single of 1963 in the UK with 1.89 million copies sold.
"Sugar Shack"
Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs
Topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and was named the number one single of 1963 by Billboard, outselling even the early Beatles releases in the US.
#1 Film of 1963
Cleopatra
Box Office: $57.8 million
The notoriously troubled and expensive Elizabeth Taylor epic nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox with a then-record budget of $44 million. Despite being the highest-grossing film of 1963, it initially lost money.
Born in 1963
Johnny Depp
American actor known for Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands, and Sweeney Todd
Michael Jordan
American basketball player widely regarded as the greatest of all time
George Michael
English singer-songwriter, member of Wham! and hugely successful solo artist
Quentin Tarantino
American filmmaker known for Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and Inglourious Basterds
Whitney Houston
American singer and actress, one of the best-selling music artists of all time
Lost in 1963
John F. Kennedy
35th President of the United States
Age 46
C.S. Lewis
British author of The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity
Age 64
Aldous Huxley
English author of Brave New World
Age 69
Robert Frost
American poet known for The Road Not Taken and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Age 88
Sylvia Plath
American poet and novelist, author of The Bell Jar
Age 30
Technology in 1963
Instant replay appeared on television for the first time. Touch-tone telephones were introduced, and the compact audio cassette began to change how people consumed music. Computers were still vast room-filling machines but were becoming essential in business and science.
- ● Push-button touch-tone telephones were introduced by Bell System
- ● Instant replay was used on TV for the first time during an Army-Navy football game
- ● Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space aboard Vostok 6
- ● The compact audio cassette was introduced by Philips at the Berlin Radio Show
Cost of Living in 1963
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £3,160 | $13,100 |
| Average salary | £850 | $5,800 |
| Pint of milk | 5d | $0.13 |
| Loaf of bread | 6½d | $0.22 |
| Dozen eggs | 3s 10d | $0.55 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 4d | $0.31 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 4s 9d | $0.30 |
| Cinema ticket | 3s 3d | $0.75 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1963
Beatlemania erupted across Britain as the Fab Four dominated the charts and screaming fans became a cultural phenomenon. The Profumo Affair rocked the British establishment, while Cassius Clay was rising fast in boxing. Ready Steady Go! launched on ITV, bringing pop music into Friday night living rooms. Doctor Who made its debut on BBC Television the day after Kennedy's assassination.
In the News in 1963
The Great Train Robbery netted £2.6 million in Buckinghamshire. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have a Dream' speech. Kim Philby was revealed as a Soviet spy. Harold Macmillan resigned as Prime Minister and was replaced by Sir Alec Douglas-Home.