previous year1959
1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
1970next year

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

history

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

  • 01 Jul 1960 Ghana Becomes a Republic: Ghana transitions from a constitutional monarchy to a republic, with Kwame Nkrumah becoming its first President. This momentous event signifies Ghana's complete political independence from British colonial rule, symbolizing the broader African decolonization movement.
  • 02 Jul 1960 Truman Criticizes Kennedy's Presidential Candidacy: In a notable political moment, former U.S. President Harry S. Truman publicly questioned John F. Kennedy's readiness for presidential office during a news conference in Independence, Missouri. Truman suggested that Kennedy lacked the necessary maturity and recommended that he withdraw his nomination for the Democratic Party leadership.
  • 03 Jul 1960 Birth of Vince Clarke: Vince Clarke, a pioneering English synth-pop musician and songwriter, was born in South Woodford, Essex. He would later become a significant figure in electronic music, founding influential bands like Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Erasure.
  • 04 Jul 1960 50-Star United States Flag Debuts: The United States officially unveils its new 50-star flag in Philadelphia, commemorating Hawaii's admission as the 50th state on August 21, 1959. This flag represents the nation's territorial expansion and evolving national identity.
  • 05 Jul 1960 Congo Crisis Erupts: The Congo Crisis began with a significant military mutiny in the newly independent Congo-Leopoldville (now Democratic Republic of the Congo). The uprising was triggered when Belgian commander Lt. Gen. Émile Janssens attempted to maintain colonial-style military discipline, leading to a revolt by Congolese soldiers seeking true independence and equal treatment.
  • 06 Jul 1960 Dr Barbara Moore completes a 3,207-mile walk from Los Angeles to New York City.
  • 07 Jul 1960 Cold War Incident: Soviet Union Shoots Down US Aircraft: During the heightened tensions of the Cold War, the Soviet Union shot down a US aircraft over the Barents Sea, escalating international diplomatic tensions between the United States and the USSR.
  • 08 Jul 1960 U-2 Spy Plane Incident: Francis Gary Powers Espionage Charges: On July 8, 1960, Francis Gary Powers was formally charged with espionage after his U-2 spy plane was shot down over Soviet territory on May 1st. The incident occurred during the height of the Cold War, when Powers was piloting a high-altitude reconnaissance mission for the CIA. His capture and subsequent trial became a significant diplomatic crisis between the United States and the Soviet Union, exposing the extent of American aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering operations.
  • 09 Jul 1960 Kel Nagle Wins 1960 British Open Golf Championship: In a historic moment during the centenary year of the Open Championship at the legendary St Andrews golf course, Australian golfer Kel Nagle secured his first and only major title. He narrowly defeated the iconic American golfer Arnold Palmer by a single stroke, marking a significant achievement in international golf history.
  • 10 Jul 1960 Publication of 'To Kill a Mockingbird': Harper Lee publishes her groundbreaking novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird', a powerful narrative addressing racial injustice in the American South, which later wins the prestigious Pulitzer Prize.
  • 11 Jul 1960 Publication of 'To Kill a Mockingbird': Harper Lee's seminal novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' was first published in the United States, a groundbreaking work addressing racial injustice and moral complexity in the American South.
  • 12 Jul 1960 First Passive Communication Satellite Launch: NASA launches Echo I, the first passive communication satellite, a groundbreaking milestone in space communication technology that reflects the ongoing Space Race.
  • 13 Jul 1960 Kennedy Nominated for Presidential Candidacy: At the Democratic National Convention, Senator John F. Kennedy was officially nominated as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, marking a pivotal moment in his political career and setting the stage for his historic 1960 presidential campaign.
  • 14 Jul 1960 Jane Goodall Begins Groundbreaking Chimpanzee Research: Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall arrived at the Gombe Stream Reserve in Tanzania to commence her revolutionary study of chimpanzees in their natural habitat, which would fundamentally transform our understanding of primate behavior and human evolution.
  • 15 Jul 1960 Kennedy Accepts Democratic Presidential Nomination: Senator John F. Kennedy was formally nominated as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. In a pivotal moment for his campaign, Kennedy selected Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson as his running mate, a strategic choice that would help secure Southern electoral support.
  • 16 Jul 1960 Sino-Soviet Split Escalates: The Soviet Union dramatically escalated tensions with the People's Republic of China by announcing the complete withdrawal of all 1,390 Soviet advisors and experts, symbolizing the deepening ideological and political rift between the two communist powers.
  • 17 Jul 1960 Gastone Nencini Wins 47th Tour de France: Italian cyclist Gastone Nencini claimed victory in the 47th edition of the Tour de France, demonstrating exceptional endurance and skill in one of cycling's most prestigious and challenging multi-stage races. His triumph represented a significant moment for Italian cycling on the international stage.
  • 18 Jul 1960 UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo Begins: The first United Nations troops arrived in the Congo to help stabilize the region during a critical political crisis following the country's independence from Belgium. This marked a significant moment in UN peacekeeping efforts in post-colonial Africa.
  • 19 Jul 1960 First Underwater Submarine Rocket Launch: The U.S. Navy achieved a groundbreaking military technology milestone when the USS George Washington successfully launched an unarmed Polaris missile while completely submerged at a depth of 30 feet, demonstrating a revolutionary capability in submarine-based missile deployment.
  • 20 Jul 1960 First Female Head of Government Elected Globally: Sirimavo Bandaranaike is elected as Prime Minister of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), becoming the world's first democratically elected female head of government. She will also assume roles as Defense Minister and External Affairs Minister, marking a significant milestone in global political representation.
  • 21 Jul 1960 World's First Female Prime Minister: Sirimavo Bandaranaike is elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (then Ceylon), becoming the world's first female head of government. Her groundbreaking election marked a significant milestone in global political representation and women's leadership.
  • 22 Jul 1960 Cuba Nationalizes US Sugar Factories: On July 22, 1960, the Cuban government under Fidel Castro's leadership nationalized all sugar factories owned by American companies. This significant economic action was part of a broader strategy to reduce US economic influence in Cuba and assert national economic sovereignty. The nationalization marked a critical moment in the deteriorating relationship between Cuba and the United States, escalating tensions during the early years of the Cold War.
  • 24 Jul 1960 Tragic Mountain Bus Accident in Japan: A devastating chartered sightseeing bus accident resulted in the deaths of 30 Japanese tourists and left 16 others injured. The fatal incident occurred while the tourists were descending from a mountain, highlighting the potential risks of mountain travel and tourism.
  • 25 Jul 1960 Woolworth's First Black Customer in Greensboro: The Woolworth Company's lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, serves its first black customer, marking a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement. This event follows the historic sit-ins that challenged racial segregation in public spaces across the Southern United States.
  • 26 Jul 1960 Nixon Nominated for Presidential Candidacy: At the Republican National Convention, delegates nominated Vice President Richard M. Nixon as the party's presidential candidate, receiving 1,321 votes. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. was simultaneously selected as the vice presidential nominee.
  • 27 Jul 1960 Soviet Nuclear Test at Novaya Zemlya: The Soviet Union conducted a nuclear weapons test at the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, escalating Cold War tensions and demonstrating ongoing nuclear capabilities.
  • 28 Jul 1960 Richard Nixon Selected as Republican Presidential Candidate: At the Republican National Convention on July 28, 1960, Richard Nixon was officially selected as the party's presidential candidate. This pivotal moment set the stage for Nixon's eventual political trajectory, which would include his eventual presidency and significant impact on American politics.
  • 29 Jul 1960 Sino-Soviet Split Escalates: The Soviet Union dramatically escalated tensions with the People's Republic of China by withdrawing all 1,390 Soviet advisors and experts. This action was accompanied by the cancellation of twelve economic and technological agreements and the termination of 200 joint projects, marking a significant diplomatic breakdown between the two communist powers.
  • 30 Jul 1960 First AFL Preseason Game: Boston Patriots vs Buffalo Bills: On July 30, 1960, the Boston Patriots played the inaugural preseason game of the American Football League (AFL), defeating the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo, New York with a decisive score of 28-7. This match marked the beginning of a new era in professional football, signaling the emergence of the AFL as a competitive league that would eventually merge with the NFL.
  • 31 Jul 1960 Nation of Islam Leader Calls for Separate Black State: Elijah Muhammad, the prominent leader of the Nation of Islam, publicly advocated for the creation of a separate, autonomous state for African Americans, highlighting the ongoing racial tensions and separatist movements during the Civil Rights era.