World Events in 1964
The Beatles Arrive in America
The Beatles landed at JFK Airport in February to scenes of mass hysteria and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show before 73 million viewers. The event launched the British Invasion and permanently transformed American popular culture.
Civil Rights Act Signed
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, or national origin. It was the most significant civil rights legislation since Reconstruction.
Nelson Mandela Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
Nelson Mandela and seven co-defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment at the Rivonia Trial. Mandela would spend 27 years in prison, most of them on Robben Island, before emerging to lead South Africa.
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Reports of North Vietnamese attacks on US destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin led Congress to pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This gave President Johnson broad authority to escalate US military involvement in Vietnam.
Tokyo Summer Olympics
Japan hosted the first Olympic Games in Asia, showcasing its post-war recovery and technological prowess. The Games featured the debut of satellite TV broadcasting and judo as an Olympic sport.
Khrushchev Ousted from Power
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev was removed from office in a bloodless coup by Communist Party colleagues led by Leonid Brezhnev. He was accused of erratic leadership and 'hare-brained schemes'.
Music in 1964
"I Feel Fine"
The Beatles
One of five Beatles singles to reach number one in the UK in 1964, showcasing their total dominance of the British charts that year.
"I Want to Hold Your Hand"
The Beatles
The single that broke the Beatles in America, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and becoming the best-selling single of 1964 in the US.
#1 Film of 1964
Mary Poppins
Box Office: $102 million
Disney's magical blend of live action and animation starred Julie Andrews in her film debut, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress. It was the highest-grossing film of 1964.
Born in 1964
Russell Crowe
New Zealand-born actor known for Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, and Master and Commander
Sandra Bullock
American actress known for Speed, Miss Congeniality, and The Blind Side
Jeff Bezos
American entrepreneur and founder of Amazon
Keanu Reeves
Canadian actor known for The Matrix, Speed, and John Wick
Nicolas Cage
American actor known for Leaving Las Vegas, National Treasure, and Con Air
Lost in 1964
Jawaharlal Nehru
First Prime Minister of independent India
Age 74
Ian Fleming
British author who created James Bond
Age 56
Cole Porter
American composer and songwriter of classic musicals and standards
Age 73
Brendan Behan
Irish poet, playwright, and author of Borstal Boy
Age 41
Technology in 1964
The Tokyo Olympics showcased satellite TV broadcasting to a global audience. IBM unveiled the System/360, a landmark in computing. BASIC programming language was created, and Polaroid cameras were increasingly popular with consumers.
- ● IBM launched the System/360 mainframe computer family
- ● BASIC programming language was created at Dartmouth College
- ● The first Ford Mustang rolled off the production line
- ● Tokyo Olympics used satellite broadcasting and electronic timing
Cost of Living in 1964
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £3,360 | $13,600 |
| Average salary | £900 | $6,080 |
| Pint of milk | 5½d | $0.13 |
| Loaf of bread | 7d | $0.21 |
| Dozen eggs | 4s 0d | $0.54 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 5d | $0.32 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 4s 11d | $0.30 |
| Cinema ticket | 3s 6d | $0.76 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1964
The British Invasion transformed popular culture as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Animals stormed the US charts. Mods in parkas riding Vespa scooters clashed with leather-clad rockers on Brighton beach. Cassius Clay defeated Sonny Liston to become world heavyweight champion and declared 'I am the greatest!' Tokyo hosted the first Asian Olympics, broadcast via satellite.
In the News in 1964
Harold Wilson led Labour to a narrow General Election victory, ending 13 years of Conservative rule. Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. The BBC launched its second television channel, BBC Two. The Mods and Rockers clashes on bank holiday weekends dominated tabloid headlines.