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Major Events of December 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 December 1960 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

  • 01 Dec 1960 Arrest of Patrice Lumumba in Congo: Patrice Lumumba, a prominent Congolese political leader and the first democratically elected Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo, was arrested by Colonel Joseph Mobutu's forces on the banks of the Sankuru River. The arrest was based on accusations of inciting military rebellion, which was a critical moment in the political turmoil of the newly independent Congo.
  • 03 Dec 1960 Camelot Musical Broadway Premiere: The legendary musical 'Camelot' debuts at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway, marking a significant moment in American theatrical history. The production, with music by Frederick Loewe and book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, would later become symbolically associated with the idealistic era of President John F. Kennedy's administration.
  • 04 Dec 1960 Boynton v. Virginia Supreme Court Decision: In a landmark civil rights ruling, the United States Supreme Court declares that racial segregation in public transportation is unconstitutional, striking down state laws that enforced discriminatory practices and marking a significant milestone in the civil rights movement.
  • 05 Dec 1960 Ghana Severs Diplomatic Ties with Belgium: In a significant diplomatic move, Ghana officially terminated its diplomatic relations with Belgium, reflecting the complex post-colonial political dynamics of the early 1960s.
  • 06 Dec 1960 Coronation Street Television Debut: The iconic British soap opera 'Coronation Street' premiered on television, launching what would become one of the longest-running and most popular television dramas in British broadcasting history.
  • 07 Dec 1960 Ivory Coast Gains Independence from France: The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) officially declared independence from French colonial rule, marking a significant milestone in West African decolonization and national sovereignty.
  • 08 Dec 1960 Violent Riots During de Gaulle's Algeria Visit: French President Charles de Gaulle's visit to Algeria was marred by violent riots involving both European and Muslim populations in major Algerian cities. The unrest resulted in 127 fatalities, highlighting the intense political and social tensions during Algeria's struggle for independence.
  • 09 Dec 1960 First Broadcast of Coronation Street: On December 9, 1960, the first episode of Coronation Street aired on ITV, marking the debut of what would become the world's longest-running television soap opera. Set in a fictional working-class neighborhood in Manchester, the show quickly captured the hearts of British viewers with its realistic portrayal of everyday life, compelling characters, and authentic dialogue. Created by Tony Warren, the series became a cultural phenomenon that would span decades and significantly influence British television and popular culture.
  • 11 Dec 1960 French Forces Suppress Algerian Protests: During a visit by French President Charles de Gaulle, French military forces violently suppressed pro-independence demonstrations in French Algeria, highlighting the escalating tensions of the Algerian War.
  • 12 Dec 1960 US Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana Segregation Laws: In a landmark civil rights decision, the Supreme Court of the United States upheld a lower Federal Court ruling, declaring Louisiana's racial segregation laws unconstitutional and effectively overturning them, marking a significant moment in the fight against systemic racial discrimination.
  • 13 Dec 1960 Ethiopian Imperial Crisis: While Emperor Haile Selassie I is visiting Brazil, his Imperial Bodyguard stages a coup in Ethiopia, deposing him and proclaiming his son, Crown Prince Asfa Wossen, as the new Emperor.
  • 14 Dec 1960 OECD Formation: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is established, creating a crucial international platform for economic collaboration, policy coordination, and global economic development.
  • 15 Dec 1960 Attempted Presidential Assassination Plot Foiled: Richard Pavlick is arrested for plotting to assassinate U.S. President-Elect John F. Kennedy, preventing a potential national tragedy.
  • 16 Dec 1960 1960 New York Air Disaster: On December 16, 1960, a catastrophic mid-air collision occurred over Staten Island, New York, involving a United Airlines Douglas DC-8 and a TWA Lockheed Super Constellation. The aircraft collided in a blinding snowstorm while approaching Idlewild Airport (now John F. Kennedy International Airport), resulting in the tragic loss of 134 lives - 128 passengers and crew from both aircraft, and six people on the ground.
  • 17 Dec 1960 Ethiopian Coup Attempt Crushed: Troops loyal to Emperor Haile Selassie successfully suppressed a coup attempt that began on December 13. Upon Haile Selassie's return from Brazil, power was restored to the imperial government. In a notable act of clemency, the Emperor absolved his son of any involvement or guilt in the coup.
  • 18 Dec 1960 General Meeting of United Nations condemns apartheid.
  • 19 Dec 1960 Mercury-Redstone 1A Test Flight: NASA's Mercury-Redstone 1A rocket successfully completes a test flight, reaching an altitude of 210 kilometers. This mission was a critical step in the United States' early space exploration program, testing rocket systems and paving the way for future human spaceflight missions.
  • 20 Dec 1960 Viet Cong Formally Established: The National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, commonly known as the Viet Cong, was formally established in Tân Lập village, Tây Ninh province, marking a significant moment in the Vietnam War's political and military landscape.
  • 21 Dec 1960 Saudi Arabian Political Leadership Change: Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was dismissed from his position as Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia by King Saud, marking a significant internal political transition within the Saudi royal family. This dismissal involved the removal of Prince Faisal and his entire cabinet of ministers from their governmental roles.
  • 22 Dec 1960 Louis Leakey's Groundbreaking Homo Erectus Discovery: Renowned paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey made a significant archaeological breakthrough by discovering a 1.4 million-year-old Homo erectus fossil (Olduvai Hominid 9) in the Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. This finding provided crucial insights into human evolutionary history and early human migration patterns in Africa.
  • 23 Dec 1960 King Saud Takes Power in Saudi Arabia: On December 23, 1960, King Saud of Saudi Arabia assumed full political power, marking a pivotal moment in the country's modern political history. This transition of power would have significant implications for Saudi Arabian governance and regional geopolitics.
  • 24 Dec 1960 Pope John XXIII's Papacy: On December 24, 1960, Pope John XXIII was leading the Catholic Church, a pontiff known for initiating significant reforms through the Second Vatican Council and promoting interfaith dialogue.
  • 26 Dec 1960 Eagles Defeat Packers in NFL Championship: In a significant NFL Championship Game, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 17-13. This game was particularly notable as it represented the lone playoff defeat for legendary coach Vince Lombardi before the Packers would establish their dynasty in subsequent years.
  • 27 Dec 1960 France's Third Nuclear Test in Algeria: On December 27, 1960, France conducted its third nuclear weapons test at the Reggane nuclear testing range in southern Algeria, which was then a French colonial territory. This test was part of France's nuclear weapons development program during the Cold War era, demonstrating the country's emerging nuclear capabilities and geopolitical ambitions.
  • 28 Dec 1960 Assassination of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abebe Aregai: On December 28, 1960, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abebe Aregai, aged 57 and in office since 1957, was assassinated by machine-gun fire during a rebel attack at the Genetta Leul palace. He was killed while being held hostage, marking a significant political upheaval in Ethiopia during this period.
  • 29 Dec 1960 Cliff Richard Tops UK Music Charts: On December 29, 1960, Cliff Richard's hit song 'I Love You' reached the number one position on the UK music charts, showcasing the singer's popularity and musical influence during the early 1960s pop era.
  • 31 Dec 1960 World Population Milestone: By the end of 1960, the global population reached 3,021,475,001, reflecting significant population growth in the mid-20th century.