previous year1959
1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
1970next year

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

history

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

  • 01 Oct 1960 Nigeria Gains Independence from United Kingdom: On October 1, 1960, Nigeria formally achieved independence from the United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in its post-colonial history. The country transitioned from British colonial rule to a sovereign nation, joining the Commonwealth of Nations and establishing its own government.
  • 02 Oct 1960 Discovery of MRSA Antibiotic Resistance: On October 2, 1960, medical researchers first identified Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), a significant bacterial strain that demonstrates resistance to common antibiotics. This discovery marked a critical moment in medical microbiology, highlighting the emerging challenge of antibiotic-resistant infections that would become a major global health concern.
  • 03 Oct 1960 Niger Gains Independence from France: Niger officially gained independence from French colonial rule, marking a significant moment in West African decolonization history.
  • 04 Oct 1960 Courier 1B Satellite Launch: The United States successfully launched the Courier 1B satellite, marking a significant milestone in satellite communication technology. This was the first active repeater satellite placed in orbit, representing a crucial advancement in global telecommunications infrastructure.
  • 05 Oct 1960 South African Republic Referendum: In a pivotal moment of apartheid-era South Africa, white voters participated in a referendum to transform the country from a Union to a Republic, marking a significant political transition that would further entrench racial segregation and white minority rule.
  • 06 Oct 1960 Nigeria Gains Independence from British Rule: Nigeria officially became an independent nation, ending decades of British colonial rule. At precisely 12:01 a.m., the new Nigerian flag was hoisted in Lagos, symbolizing the country's sovereignty. With a population of approximately 35 million people, this marked a crucial moment in African decolonization.
  • 07 Oct 1960 Kennedy-Nixon Presidential Debate on Foreign Policy: The second of four scheduled presidential debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon focused intensely on Cold War foreign policy, providing American voters with a critical comparison of the candidates' strategic perspectives during the height of international tensions.
  • 08 Oct 1960 UN General Assembly Rejects China's Membership: The United Nations General Assembly voted 42–34 against admitting the People's Republic of China as a member. This marked Red China's tenth consecutive rejection, though it represented the most favorable vote for China up to that point in time.
  • 09 Oct 1960 Tragic Death of Howard Glenn: Howard Glenn, a player for the New York Titans, tragically died from injuries sustained during a football game on October 9, 1960. His death highlighted the inherent risks and physical dangers of professional football during this era.
  • 10 Oct 1960 Soviet Mars Reconnaissance Mission: The Soviet Union launches pioneering spacecraft probes for Mars reconnaissance, becoming the first nation to attempt such a mission. Two probes were launched on October 10 and 14, 1960, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
  • 11 Oct 1960 Devastating Hurricane in East Pakistan: A catastrophic hurricane struck East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. The natural disaster highlighted the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.
  • 12 Oct 1960 Khrushchev's Shoe-Pounding Incident at UN: During the United Nations General Assembly meeting, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev dramatically protested a Philippine delegation's criticism of Soviet colonial policies in Eastern Europe by removing his shoe and forcefully pounding it on the desk. This theatrical gesture became an iconic moment of Cold War diplomatic tension, symbolizing the heated ideological confrontation between the Soviet Union and Western powers.
  • 13 Oct 1960 Third Kennedy-Nixon Presidential Debate: The groundbreaking third presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon featured a split-screen television broadcast, with Kennedy in New York and Nixon in Los Angeles. Nixon strategically arranged air conditioning to prevent perspiring, demonstrating the growing importance of television in political campaigns.
  • 14 Oct 1960 Cuban Missile Crisis Begins: A U-2 reconnaissance flight over Cuba captures photographic evidence of Soviet nuclear missile installations, triggering a critical geopolitical standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union that brings the world to the brink of nuclear war.
  • 15 Oct 1960 Assassination of Félix-Roland Moumié: Félix-Roland Moumié, a prominent Cameroonian independence leader, was assassinated by a French agent using thallium poisoning. This event was a significant moment in the anti-colonial struggle of Cameroon, highlighting the violent tactics used by colonial powers to suppress independence movements.
  • 16 Oct 1960 Intense Algerian War Battles: During a weekend of fierce combat in the Algerian War, 277 Muslim Algerian fighters and 40 French soldiers were killed in significant military engagements, highlighting the brutal conflict between Algerian independence fighters and French colonial forces.
  • 17 Oct 1960 US-UK Nuclear Submarine Base Agreement: The United States and United Kingdom signed a strategic accord granting the US access to the British nuclear submarine base in Holy Loch, Scotland, marking a significant Cold War-era military cooperation agreement.
  • 18 Oct 1960 Kennedy Proposes Peace Corps: In a historic early morning speech at the University of Michigan, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy first proposed the establishment of the Peace Corps, a groundbreaking initiative for international service and cultural exchange.
  • 19 Oct 1960 Martin Luther King Jr. Arrested in Atlanta Sit-in: Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested during a civil rights protest at Rich's Department Store in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of a mass sit-in challenging racial segregation. This event was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting the non-violent resistance strategy.
  • 20 Oct 1960 Gold Market Volatility: The London gold market experienced significant price fluctuations, with gold prices rising sharply by $3.00 per ounce after several incremental increases throughout the week.
  • 21 Oct 1960 John Kennedy and Nixon clash in fourth and final presidential debate (New York City).
  • 22 Oct 1960 Cassius Clay Begins Professional Boxing Career: On October 22, 1960, Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) won his first professional boxing match, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most legendary careers in sports history. This moment launched the career of a global icon who would transcend boxing and become a significant cultural figure.
  • 24 Oct 1960 Disaster on USSR (Baikonoer) launch pad, kills missile expert Nedelin & team (165 die-unconfirmed); USSR claims killed in plane crash
  • 25 Oct 1960 Cuba Nationalizes US Businesses: On October 25, 1960, the Cuban government under Fidel Castro's leadership nationalized all remaining United States-owned businesses, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Cuba and the United States during the Cold War era. This action was part of a broader strategy to assert economic independence and challenge American economic influence in the Caribbean.
  • 26 Oct 1960 Robert F. Kennedy Helps Martin Luther King Jr.'s Wife: Robert F. Kennedy personally telephoned Coretta Scott King and intervened to secure her husband Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s release from jail after a traffic violation in Atlanta, Georgia. This action demonstrated Kennedy's early commitment to civil rights and his willingness to directly support prominent civil rights leaders.
  • 27 Oct 1960 U.S. Covert Operation in Congo: The Special Group (later known as the 303 Committee) approved significant funding to support Mobutu's government, strategically aimed at preventing Patrice Lumumba from regaining political control during the Congo Crisis.
  • 28 Oct 1960 Kennedy Proposes Peace Corps: During an early morning speech at the University of Michigan, U.S. presidential candidate John F. Kennedy first proposed the establishment of the Peace Corps. This visionary idea would later become a landmark international service program, promoting cross-cultural understanding and providing humanitarian aid worldwide.
  • 29 Oct 1960 Muhammad Ali's First Professional Fight: In Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay (who would later become known as Muhammad Ali) won his first professional boxing match. This event marked the beginning of what would become one of the most legendary boxing careers in sports history, setting the stage for Clay's transformation into a global cultural icon and heavyweight champion.
  • 30 Oct 1960 First Successful Kidney Transplant in the United Kingdom: Dr. Michael Woodruff performed a groundbreaking medical procedure at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, successfully completing the first kidney transplant in the United Kingdom. This milestone marked a significant advancement in medical science, opening new possibilities for organ transplantation and potentially saving countless lives in the future.
  • 31 Oct 1960 Deadly Gulf of Bengal Cyclone: A catastrophic cyclone struck the coast of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on October 31, 1960, resulting in one of the deadliest natural disasters of the 20th century. The cyclone claimed approximately 10,000 lives, devastating coastal communities and highlighting the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.