World Events in 1966
England Win the World Cup
England defeated West Germany 4-2 in the World Cup final at Wembley Stadium, with Geoff Hurst scoring a hat trick including the controversial 'was it over the line?' third goal. It remains England's only World Cup triumph.
Aberfan Disaster
A colliery spoil tip above the Welsh village of Aberfan collapsed after days of heavy rain, engulfing Pantglas Junior School and nearby houses. 116 children and 28 adults were killed in one of the worst disasters in British history.
Cultural Revolution Begins in China
Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution to reassert his authority and purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. It unleashed years of chaos, persecution, and destruction of cultural heritage.
Indira Gandhi Becomes Prime Minister of India
Indira Gandhi was elected leader of the Congress Party and became India's first female Prime Minister. She would dominate Indian politics for nearly two decades.
US Involvement in Vietnam Deepens
American troop levels in Vietnam reached nearly 400,000 by year's end. Anti-war protests grew across the US and the conflict increasingly divided American society.
Music in 1966
"Green Green Grass of Home"
Tom Jones
The Welsh singer's sentimental ballad topped the UK chart for seven weeks over Christmas and became the best-selling single of 1966 in Britain.
"The Ballad of the Green Berets"
SSgt Barry Sadler
An unusual patriotic hit during the Vietnam War era, this tribute to US Army Special Forces topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and was the best-selling single of 1966.
#1 Film of 1966
Thunderball
Box Office: $141 million
The fourth James Bond film starring Sean Connery was the highest-grossing Bond film for decades. It cemented 007 as the biggest franchise in cinema.
Born in 1966
Adam Sandler
American actor and comedian known for Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, and The Wedding Singer
Halle Berry
American actress, first African American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for Monster's Ball
David Schwimmer
American actor known for playing Ross Geller in the television series Friends
Salma Hayek
Mexican-American actress known for Frida, Desperado, and From Dusk till Dawn
Sinéad O'Connor
Irish singer-songwriter known for Nothing Compares 2 U
Lost in 1966
Walt Disney
American animation pioneer and founder of the Disney entertainment empire
Age 65
Buster Keaton
American silent film star and comedian known for The General
Age 70
Evelyn Waugh
English novelist known for Brideshead Revisited and Scoop
Age 62
Lenny Bruce
American stand-up comedian and social critic who pushed boundaries of free speech
Age 40
Technology in 1966
The Soviet Luna 9 made the first soft landing on the Moon. Colour television broadcasting was expanding in the US, and the UK began test broadcasts. Credit cards were becoming more widespread, and early electronic calculators appeared on desks.
- ● Luna 9 made the first successful soft landing on the Moon
- ● The Surveyor 1 spacecraft made the first US soft landing on the Moon
- ● Barclays installed the UK's first credit card system (Barclaycard)
- ● Texas Instruments developed the first electronic handheld calculator prototype
Cost of Living in 1966
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £3,840 | $14,500 |
| Average salary | £1,030 | $6,900 |
| Pint of milk | 6d | $0.14 |
| Loaf of bread | 8d | $0.22 |
| Dozen eggs | 4s 4d | $0.60 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 8d | $0.34 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 5s 2d | $0.32 |
| Cinema ticket | 4s 0d | $0.87 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1966
England's 4-2 World Cup final victory over West Germany at Wembley was the sporting highlight of the decade. The Beatles played their last ever concert, and John Lennon controversially declared them 'more popular than Jesus'. The counterculture movement gathered pace with psychedelic music and fashion. Star Trek made its television debut, and Twiggy emerged as the face of the era.
In the News in 1966
The Aberfan disaster killed 144 people, mostly children, when a colliery spoil tip collapsed onto a school in Wales. England hosted and won the FIFA World Cup. Time magazine asked 'Is God Dead?' on its cover. Ian Brady and Myra Hindley were convicted of the Moors murders.