Major Events of February 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 February 1960 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of February 1960: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Feb 1960 Greensboro Sit-ins: A Pivotal Civil Rights Moment: On February 1, 1960, four African American students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University initiated a groundbreaking nonviolent protest against racial segregation by sitting at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Despite being initially refused service, they remained seated, sparking a wave of similar peaceful demonstrations across the Southern United States. Six months later, these same protesters were served lunch at the very counter that had previously denied them service, marking a significant symbolic victory in the Civil Rights Movement.
- 02 Feb 1960 Michale Eufemia sinks 625 balls in pool match without a miss.
- 03 Feb 1960 Harold Macmillan's Wind of Change Speech: British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan delivered a landmark speech to the South African Parliament in Cape Town, articulating a pivotal moment in British colonial policy. While this speech was his most famous iteration, he had previously addressed similar themes in Accra, Ghana on January 10th. The speech signaled a significant shift in the United Kingdom's approach to colonial governance, acknowledging the rising tide of national consciousness and self-determination in African nations.
- 04 Feb 1960 De Gaulle Dismisses Jacques Soustelle: French President Charles de Gaulle dismissed Jacques Soustelle from his position as Deputy Prime Minister for Algeria, signaling a significant political shift in France's colonial administration.
- 05 Feb 1960 CERN's First Particle Accelerator Becomes Operational: The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) successfully launched its first particle accelerator in Geneva, Switzerland, marking a significant milestone in scientific research and particle physics exploration.
- 07 Feb 1960 Discovery of Ancient Scrolls at Qumran: Archaeologists discovered additional handwritten manuscripts at the famous Qumran archaeological site near the Dead Sea, potentially expanding our understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls. These ancient documents, likely dating from the Second Temple period, could provide further insights into the religious and cultural practices of Jewish communities during that historical era.
- 08 Feb 1960 Royal Family Name Change: Queen Elizabeth II issued an Order-in-Council proclaiming the House of Windsor and establishing that her descendants would bear the surname Mountbatten-Windsor, symbolizing a significant modernization of royal naming traditions.
- 09 Feb 1960 First Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame: Actress Joanne Woodward was honored with the first star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a significant milestone in recognizing entertainment achievements. This inaugural star symbolized the beginning of a legendary tribute system that would later commemorate hundreds of notable performers, directors, musicians, and other entertainment industry professionals.
- 10 Feb 1960 Khrushchev's Diplomatic Tour of South Asia: Soviet leader Nikita S. Khrushchev embarked on an extensive 24-day diplomatic tour of South Asia, visiting India, Burma, Indonesia, and Afghanistan, aimed at expanding Soviet influence in the region.
- 11 Feb 1960 Classified Military Information Disclosure: Lt. Gen. Arthur G. Trudeau, chief of research for the United States Army, accidentally revealed classified information during a press conference, discussing the potential of atomic explosions to neutralize hydrogen bombs through neutron flux principles.
- 12 Feb 1960 France Develops Nuclear Capability: France successfully detonated its first atomic bomb in 1960, becoming the fourth nuclear power after the United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom. This milestone significantly altered the global strategic balance during the Cold War.
- 13 Feb 1960 France Becomes Fourth Nuclear Power: On February 13, 1960, France successfully conducted its first nuclear test, codenamed 'Gerboise Bleue' (Blue Jerboa), at the Reggane Proving Grounds in Algeria. This historic test marked France's entry into the exclusive club of nuclear-armed nations, joining the United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom in possessing nuclear weapons capabilities.
- 14 Feb 1960 France Becomes Fourth Nuclear Power: France successfully detonated an atomic bomb near Reggane in the Sahara Desert, Algeria, becoming the world's fourth nuclear power. This event significantly altered the global geopolitical landscape during the Cold War era, demonstrating France's technological and military capabilities.
- 15 Feb 1960 Near Conflict Between Egypt and Israel in 1960: In February 1960, tensions escalated between Egypt and Israel after President Nasser received inaccurate intelligence suggesting Israeli troops were massing at Syria's border. In response, Egypt deployed a significant portion of its army to the Israeli border, and Israel initiated Operation Rottem. Fortunately, both nations discovered the intelligence was erroneous and de-escalated, standing down by March 1st, narrowly avoiding a potential military confrontation.
- 16 Feb 1960 USS Triton's Historic Underwater Circumnavigation: The U.S. Navy submarine USS Triton embarked on Operation Sandblast, launching the first fully submerged circumnavigation of the globe. Departing from New London, Connecticut, this groundbreaking maritime expedition would demonstrate the technological prowess and strategic capabilities of nuclear submarines during the Cold War era.
- 18 Feb 1960 VIII Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley: The 1960 Winter Olympics were held in Squaw Valley, California, USA from February 18 to 28. This was a significant international sporting event that brought together winter athletes from around the world to compete in various disciplines.
- 19 Feb 1960 China Launches First Sounding Rocket: China successfully launched the T-7, its first sounding rocket, marking a significant milestone in the country's early space exploration and technological development.
- 20 Feb 1960 CERN Particle Accelerator Inauguration: The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) officially inaugurated its particle accelerator in Geneva, Switzerland, marking a significant milestone in scientific research and particle physics. This facility would become a cornerstone of international scientific collaboration and groundbreaking discoveries in understanding fundamental physics.
- 21 Feb 1960 Cuban Nationalization of Businesses: Cuban leader Fidel Castro implemented a sweeping nationalization policy, seizing and bringing all private businesses under government control. This radical economic measure dramatically transformed Cuba's economic landscape and marked a significant moment in the country's communist revolution.
- 23 Feb 1960 Ebbets Field Demolition Begins: Demolition commenced on the historic Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, a legendary baseball stadium that had been home to the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1913 until the team's relocation to Los Angeles in 1958.
- 24 Feb 1960 Czechoslovakian Rescue Teams Respond to East German Mine Disaster: Following a tragic explosion at the Karl Marx coal mine that claimed 123 miners' lives, Czechoslovakian mine rescue teams were dispatched to Zwickau, East Germany, to provide critical assistance and support in the aftermath of the catastrophic incident.
- 25 Feb 1960 Mid-air Collision over Rio de Janeiro: A tragic mid-air collision occurred between a U.S. Navy airplane and Brazilian airline REAL Flight 751 over Rio de Janeiro, resulting in the loss of 61 lives. This devastating incident highlighted the critical importance of air traffic control and aviation safety protocols during the early years of commercial jet travel.
- 26 Feb 1960 Soviet Support for Indonesia: Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev publicly expresses support for Indonesia, signaling the ongoing geopolitical dynamics and diplomatic relations during the Cold War period.
- 27 Feb 1960 US Olympic Ice Hockey Team Defeats USSR: In a pivotal moment during the 1960 Winter Olympics, the United States Ice Hockey Team achieved a remarkable 3-2 victory against the Soviet Union, advancing towards their gold medal win and showcasing Cold War-era sporting tensions.
- 28 Feb 1960 VIII Winter Olympics Close at Squaw Valley: The 8th Winter Olympic Games concluded at Squaw Valley, California, marking a significant moment in international sports competition. The games showcased athletic excellence across multiple winter sports disciplines.
- 29 Feb 1960 Devastating Agadir Earthquake: A catastrophic 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck coastal Morocco, causing massive destruction in the city of Agadir. The earthquake resulted in approximately 12,000 fatalities and 12,000 injuries, making it one of the most devastating seismic events in Moroccan history.