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Major Events of April 1960: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from April 1960 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1960: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1960 First Television Picture from Space: The TIROS-1 satellite successfully transmitted the first television picture from space, marking a significant milestone in satellite technology and meteorological observation.
  • 02 Apr 1960 Racial Tensions in South Africa: South African Police intercepted and stopped thousands of black marchers near Cape Town's Nyanga, highlighting the systemic racial oppression during the apartheid era.
  • 03 Apr 1960 Ben-Hur Wins Record Oscar Awards: At the 32nd Academy Awards ceremony, the epic historical drama 'Ben-Hur' made cinematic history by winning an unprecedented eleven Oscar awards, including Best Picture. This achievement set a record for the most Academy Awards won by a single film at that time, solidifying the movie's place in Hollywood legend.
  • 04 Apr 1960 Mali Federation Independence: France agreed to grant independence to the Mali Federation, a political union comprising Senegal and French Sudan, signaling a crucial moment in African decolonization.
  • 05 Apr 1960 Wisconsin Democratic Primary of 1960: In a significant early test of political strength, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts decisively defeated Senator Hubert Humphrey in the Wisconsin Democratic primary. This victory was crucial in Kennedy's path to securing the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, demonstrating his growing national appeal and political momentum.
  • 06 Apr 1960 Anti-Apartheid Protest Suppressed in Cape Town: On April 6, 1960, South African Police in Cape Town forcibly stopped thousands of black protesters marching from Nyanga, preventing their demonstration against the oppressive apartheid system. This event highlights the brutal suppression of civil rights and peaceful protest during the apartheid era.
  • 07 Apr 1960 African National Congress and Pan Africanist Congress Banned in South Africa: Under the Unlawful Organisations Act No. 34, the African National Congress (ANC) and Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) parties were banned in South Africa. This significant political suppression led to the formation of 'Umkhonto we Sizwe' ('Spear of the Nation'), the armed resistance wing of the ANC, by Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists. The ban was a critical moment in the struggle against racial segregation and oppression in South Africa.
  • 08 Apr 1960 US Civil Rights Bill Signed by President Eisenhower: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs a landmark Civil Rights Bill that includes measures to combat discriminatory voting practices, representing a significant step towards addressing racial inequality in electoral processes.
  • 09 Apr 1960 End of the American Civil War: Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, effectively ending the American Civil War.
  • 10 Apr 1960 US Senate Passes Civil Rights Bill: The US Senate passed a landmark Civil Rights Bill, a significant step in the ongoing struggle for racial equality and civil liberties in the United States during the tumultuous 1960s civil rights era.
  • 11 Apr 1960 Final Successful U-2 Spy Plane Overflight of Soviet Union: During the height of the Cold War, an American U-2 spy plane conducted its last successful reconnaissance mission over Soviet territory, narrowly avoiding detection at the Tyuratam missile range. The mission highlighted the intense intelligence gathering efforts and risks taken during the Cold War era, with Soviet air defense systems failing to intercept the aircraft in time.
  • 12 Apr 1960 United States Launches Transit I-b Navigation Satellite: The United States successfully launched the Transit I-b navigation satellite, a significant milestone in early satellite navigation technology and space exploration efforts.
  • 13 Apr 1960 Transit 1B Satellite Launch: The United States launched Transit 1B, the world's first operational navigational satellite, revolutionizing global positioning and navigation technologies. This groundbreaking mission paved the way for modern GPS systems.
  • 14 Apr 1960 First Underwater Polaris Missile Launch: The United States Navy successfully conducted the first underwater launching of a Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missile, marking a significant technological and strategic advancement in naval warfare and nuclear deterrence capabilities during the Cold War era.
  • 15 Apr 1960 Formation of SNCC at Shaw University: On April 15, 1960, at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ella Baker led a pivotal conference that resulted in the creation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). This organization became one of the most significant and influential groups in the African-American Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s, playing a crucial role in organizing grassroots activism, voter registration drives, and nonviolent protests.
  • 16 Apr 1960 Madagascar Independence Treaty: France and Malagasy nationalists signed a pivotal treaty on April 16, 1960, paving the way for Madagascar's independence, which was formally granted in June of the same year, marking a significant moment in the decolonization of Africa.
  • 17 Apr 1960 Eddie Cochran Dies in Tragic Car Crash: On April 17, 1960, rock and roll musician Eddie Cochran tragically died at the young age of 21 in a fatal car accident while on tour in England, cutting short a promising musical career and shocking the entertainment world.
  • 18 Apr 1960 Project Mercury Environmental Control System Training Spacecraft Fabrication Completed: A significant milestone in the early U.S. space program was reached when the fabrication of the crewed environmental-control-system training spacecraft for Project Mercury was essentially completed. McDonnell initiated a comprehensive test program on the equipment, which was scheduled to conclude on April 25, 1960.
  • 19 Apr 1960 South Korean Pro-Democracy Revolution: On April 19, 1960, students across South Korea launched a massive nationwide pro-democracy protest against President Syngman Rhee, challenging electoral fraud and demanding democratic reforms. The widespread demonstrations, involving over 100,000 students in Seoul and other cities, ultimately forced Rhee to resign, marking a pivotal moment in South Korean democratic history.
  • 20 Apr 1960 Manned Space Stations Symposium: The Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences, NASA, and the RAND Corporation jointly sponsored a comprehensive symposium on Manned Space Stations from April 20 to 22, 1960. This groundbreaking event brought together leading aerospace experts to discuss the potential and challenges of establishing human habitats in space, marking a critical moment in early space exploration planning.
  • 21 Apr 1960 Inauguration of Brasília as Brazil's New Capital: On April 21, 1960, Brazil officially inaugurated Brasília as its new national capital, marking a monumental moment in the country's history. At precisely 9:30 am, the Three Powers of the Republic (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches) were simultaneously transferred from Rio de Janeiro to the newly constructed modernist city. This strategic relocation, envisioned by President Juscelino Kubitschek, symbolized Brazil's ambition to develop its interior and create a more centrally located administrative center.
  • 24 Apr 1960 Civil Rights Confrontation in Biloxi: A significant civil rights incident occurred in Biloxi, Mississippi, where Black protesters conducting a peaceful 'wade-in' at a segregated beach were violently attacked by a hostile white crowd. This event highlighted the intense racial tensions and systemic discrimination prevalent in the American South during the early Civil Rights Movement.
  • 25 Apr 1960 First Submerged Circumnavigation of the Globe: The United States Navy submarine USS Triton (SSRN-586) successfully completed the first complete circumnavigation of the Earth while remaining submerged. This historic maritime achievement demonstrated the advanced capabilities of nuclear submarines during the Cold War era.
  • 26 Apr 1960 South Korean President Syngman Rhee Resigns: In a pivotal moment for South Korean democracy, President Syngman Rhee was forced to resign following the April Revolution (also known as the April 19 Revolution). After twelve years of authoritarian rule characterized by corruption and suppression of political opposition, widespread student protests and public demonstrations compelled Rhee to step down, marking a significant turning point in South Korea's political history.
  • 27 Apr 1960 U-2 Spy Plane Shot Down During Cold War Incident: A Soviet surface-to-air missile shot down an American Lockheed U-2 spy plane, capturing its pilot, Francis Gary Powers from the CIA. This incident escalated Cold War tensions and became a significant diplomatic confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union.
  • 28 Apr 1960 Shea Stadium Construction Approved: The New York City Board of Estimate approved the construction of Shea Stadium in Flushing, Queens, with a decisive 20-2 vote. This landmark decision would pave the way for a significant sports venue that would become home to the New York Mets baseball team and host numerous historic events.