World Events in 1967
Six-Day War
Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, winning a decisive victory in just six days. Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Golan Heights, reshaping the Middle East.
Summer of Love
Approximately 100,000 young people converged on San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district in a celebration of peace, love, and music. The movement spread globally and became a defining moment of 1960s counterculture.
Che Guevara Killed in Bolivia
Argentine revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara was captured and executed by Bolivian forces assisted by the CIA. His death made him a martyr and enduring icon of revolutionary movements worldwide.
Race Riots Across American Cities
Major riots erupted in Detroit, Newark, and other American cities during the 'Long Hot Summer'. The Detroit riot was the deadliest, with 43 people killed and over 2,000 buildings destroyed.
Greek Military Coup
A group of Greek colonels seized power in a military coup, establishing a repressive junta that would rule Greece until 1974. King Constantine's counter-coup attempt in December failed, and he fled to exile in Rome.
First Heart Transplant
Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first human-to-human heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The patient, Louis Washkansky, survived for 18 days.
Music in 1967
"Release Me"
Engelbert Humperdinck
Famously kept The Beatles' 'Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane' double A-side off the number one spot. It topped the UK chart for six weeks.
"To Sir, with Love"
Lulu
Scottish singer Lulu's theme from the Sidney Poitier film topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and was named the number one single of 1967 by Billboard.
#1 Film of 1967
The Jungle Book
Box Office: $141 million (initial release)
Walt Disney's final animated feature, released after his death, was the highest-grossing film of 1967. It featured memorable songs including 'The Bare Necessities' voiced by Phil Harris.
Born in 1967
Kurt Cobain
American musician and frontman of Nirvana who defined the grunge movement
Nicole Kidman
Australian-American actress known for Moulin Rouge!, The Hours, and Big Little Lies
Vin Diesel
American actor known for the Fast and Furious franchise
Julia Roberts
American actress known for Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, and Steel Magnolias
Boris Johnson
British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2022
Lost in 1967
Che Guevara
Argentine Marxist revolutionary and guerrilla leader
Age 39
Vivien Leigh
British actress who won two Academy Awards for Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire
Age 53
Donald Campbell
British speed record breaker killed on Coniston Water
Age 45
Spencer Tracy
American actor who won back-to-back Academy Awards, starred in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Age 67
Woody Guthrie
American folk musician and songwriter of This Land Is Your Land
Age 55
Technology in 1967
Colour television broadcasting began in the UK on BBC Two. The first ATM (cash machine) was installed outside a Barclays bank in Enfield, North London. Heart transplant surgery was performed for the first time, and hand-held electronic calculators were nearing commercial viability.
- ● The world's first ATM was installed at Barclays, Enfield, London
- ● Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the first human heart transplant in Cape Town
- ● BBC Two began regular colour television broadcasts in the UK
- ● The Corporation for Public Broadcasting was established in the US
Cost of Living in 1967
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £4,050 | $15,100 |
| Average salary | £1,100 | $7,100 |
| Pint of milk | 6d | $0.14 |
| Loaf of bread | 9d | $0.22 |
| Dozen eggs | 4s 6d | $0.61 |
| Pint of beer | 1s 10d | $0.35 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | 5s 4d | $0.33 |
| Cinema ticket | 4s 6d | $1.00 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1967
The Summer of Love swept from San Francisco to London as hippie counterculture reached its peak. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was released and hailed as a masterpiece. Psychedelic art, love-ins, and experimentation with LSD defined the moment. In sport, Celtic became the first British club to win the European Cup. Colour television arrived in Britain with BBC Two's coverage of Wimbledon.
In the News in 1967
Pirate radio stations were shut down by the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act. The QE2 ocean liner was launched on Clydebank. Donald Campbell was killed attempting the water speed record on Coniston Water. The Torrey Canyon oil tanker disaster off Cornwall was the world's first major oil spill.