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

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

01 Mar 1960 Alicia Dibos: Professional Golfer's Early Life: Alicia Dibos was born in Lima, Peru, who would later become a notable professional golfer. Her significant achievement included a remarkable 4th place finish in the 1994 US Women's Open, highlighting her skill and prominence in women's professional golf during the late 20th century.
02 Mar 1960 Lufthansa Launches First Boeing 707 Jet Service: Lufthansa made a significant milestone in aviation history by introducing its first Boeing 707 jet aircraft into commercial service. This marked the German national airline's entry into the jet age, symbolizing technological advancement and the rapid modernization of international air travel in the early 1960s. The Boeing 707 represented a quantum leap in commercial aviation, offering faster, more efficient, and more comfortable long-distance travel.
03 Mar 1960 Pope John XXIII Expands College of Cardinals with Historic Appointments: Pope John XXIII elevated seven bishops to the College of Cardinals, expanding the membership to a record 85. This historic appointment included Laurean Rugambwa of Tanganyika, the first Black cardinal, and Peter Tatsuo Doi and Rufino Santos, the first cardinals from Japan and the Philippines, respectively.
04 Mar 1960 La Coubre Explosion in Havana: The French freighter La Coubre exploded in Havana, Cuba, killing approximately 100 people. The incident was highly controversial, with Cuban leader Fidel Castro alleging U.S. involvement in the mysterious explosion. The event heightened tensions between Cuba and the United States during the early Cold War period.
05 Mar 1960 US Military Involvement in Vietnam Begins: The United States announces the deployment of 3,500 American soldiers to Vietnam, marking an early escalation of military presence that would lead to the prolonged and controversial Vietnam War.
06 Mar 1960 Indonesian Parliamentary Dissolution by Sukarno: On March 6, 1960, President Sukarno unilaterally dissolved Indonesia's parliament, a significant political move that further consolidated his authoritarian 'Guided Democracy' approach. This action marked a critical moment in Indonesia's post-colonial political development, effectively suspending democratic processes and centralizing power in Sukarno's hands.
07 Mar 1960 Ivan Lendl's Birth in Czechoslovakia: Ivan Lendl, a legendary Czech tennis professional, was born in Czechoslovakia. He would later become one of the most dominant tennis players of the 1980s, winning multiple Grand Slam titles, including three consecutive US Open championships from 1985 to 1987.
08 Mar 1960 Iconic Che Guevara Photograph: The famous 'Guerrillero Heroico' (Heroic Guerrilla Fighter) photograph of Che Guevara, taken by Alberto Korda, was captured on March 5, 1960, during a memorial service. This image would become one of the most reproduced photographs in the world, symbolizing revolution and counterculture.
09 Mar 1960 First Permanent Hemodialysis Shunt Implanted: Dr. Belding Hibbard Scribner successfully implanted a groundbreaking medical device - a flexible Teflon tube shunt that could permanently connect an artery to a vein. This innovative invention revolutionized hemodialysis treatment, enabling patients with kidney failure to receive regular dialysis treatments and significantly improving their quality of life and survival rates.
10 Mar 1960 USSR agrees to stop nuclear testing.
11 Mar 1960 Pioneer 5 launched into solar orbit between Earth and Venus.
12 Mar 1960 Prince Constantine Becomes Paramount Chief of Basutoland: Prince Constantine Bereng Seeiso formally assumed the role of Paramount Chief of Basutoland at the age of 21. This significant leadership transition marked an important moment in the pre-independence history of what would later become the Kingdom of Lesotho.
13 Mar 1960 Northwest Airlines Flight 710 Disaster: A tragic aviation accident occurred when Northwest Airlines Flight 710, a Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop, crashed near Cannelton, Indiana. The plane's wings separated at 18,000 feet during its Chicago to Miami route, resulting in the death of all 63 passengers and leaving a 12-foot-deep crater.
14 Mar 1960 Historic Meeting Between West German Chancellor and Israeli Prime Minister: In a groundbreaking diplomatic moment, West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion met at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, marking the first high-level conference between Germany and Israel 15 years after the end of World War II. This meeting symbolized a significant step towards reconciliation and diplomatic normalization between two nations previously in profound conflict.
15 Mar 1960 First Underwater Park Established in Key Largo: On March 15, 1960, the Key Largo Coral Reef Preserve was established, marking a groundbreaking moment in marine conservation. This pioneering underwater park became the first of its kind in the United States, setting a precedent for protecting marine ecosystems and promoting underwater environmental preservation.
17 Mar 1960 U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the National Security Council directive on the anti-Cuban covert action program that will ultimately lead to the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
19 Mar 1960 Ceylon's Parliamentary Election Complexity: A pivotal election was held in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) for the 151 seats of the House of Representatives. The election resulted in a fragmented political landscape, with no single party achieving the 76-seat majority required to form a government, highlighting the complex political dynamics of the time.
21 Mar 1960 Sharpeville Massacre: A Turning Point in South African History: On March 21, 1960, a peaceful demonstration against the oppressive pass laws in South Africa turned into a tragic massacre. Approximately 5,000 unarmed black protesters gathered at the Sharpeville police station to protest discriminatory apartheid policies. Without warning, police opened fire, shooting 1,344 rounds into the defenseless crowd. The brutal incident resulted in at least 91 deaths and 238 injuries, marking a critical moment in the struggle against racial segregation and systemic oppression.
22 Mar 1960 First Patent for Laser Technology: On March 22, 1960, physicists Arthur Schawlow and Charles Townes were granted the groundbreaking first patent for laser technology, marking a pivotal moment in scientific innovation. Their invention would revolutionize numerous fields, including medicine, communications, manufacturing, and scientific research.
23 Mar 1960 Soviet-French Diplomatic Meeting in Paris: Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev met with French President Charles de Gaulle in Paris, marking a significant diplomatic engagement during the Cold War era. This high-level meeting likely involved discussions on international relations, tensions between the Eastern and Western blocs, and potential areas of cooperation.
24 Mar 1960 Lady Chatterley's Lover Legal Milestone: The United States Court of Appeals made a landmark ruling on March 24, 1960, declaring D.H. Lawrence's controversial novel 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' not obscene. This decision was a significant moment in literary freedom and censorship, marking a pivotal point in the legal understanding of artistic expression and sexual content in literature.
25 Mar 1960 First Guided Missile Launch from Nuclear Submarine: The USS Halibut, a pioneering nuclear-powered submarine, successfully launched its first guided missile, marking a significant milestone in naval warfare and missile technology. This event represented a major advancement in military maritime capabilities, demonstrating the potential of nuclear submarines as strategic weapon platforms.
26 Mar 1960 Political Executions in Iraq: The Iraqi government executed 30 individuals following an attack on President Abdul Karim Kassem, reflecting the volatile political climate and harsh repressive measures of the regime.
27 Mar 1960 Natural Bridge Discovery by St. Mary's University Students: A significant geological exploration was conducted by four students from St. Mary's University in Texas: Orion Knox, Jr., Al Brandt, Preston Knodell, and Jo Cantu. They discovered the Natural Bridge, potentially contributing to local geological research and understanding of the region's natural formations.
28 Mar 1960 Worst Peacetime Firefighting Loss in British History: A catastrophic fire in Glasgow resulted in the deaths of 19 firefighters, representing the most significant peacetime loss of life in British firefighting history.
29 Mar 1960 First Weather Satellite Launch: The United States successfully launches TIROS-1, the world's first weather satellite, marking a significant milestone in meteorological technology and space exploration.
30 Mar 1960 State of Emergency in South Africa Following Sharpeville Massacre: On March 30, 1960, Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd proclaimed a state of emergency at 3:00 a.m., nine days after the tragic Sharpeville massacre. This declaration significantly escalated the government's response to growing anti-apartheid protests and civil unrest, granting extensive powers to security forces and effectively suppressing resistance movements.
31 Mar 1960 First Nations Voting Rights in Canada: On this historic date, the Canadian government repealed a discriminatory part of the Indian Act, granting First Nations people the right to vote in federal elections without losing their Indian status. This significant milestone represented a crucial step towards recognizing the full citizenship and democratic rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada, marking a pivotal moment in the country's ongoing journey of reconciliation and equal rights.