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

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

  • 01 Sep 1960 Pennsylvania Railroad Workers Strike: A significant labor dispute erupted as disgruntled railroad workers effectively halted operations of the Pennsylvania Railroad, marking the first complete shutdown in the company's long operational history. This event highlighted growing tensions between labor unions and railroad management during the early 1960s.
  • 02 Sep 1960 Political Crisis in Congo: Congolese president Joseph Kasavubu dramatically fires Patrice Lumumba's entire government and places Lumumba under house arrest, escalating political tensions in the newly independent Congo. This event was a critical moment in the post-colonial political landscape of Africa, signaling deep internal conflicts and power struggles.
  • 03 Sep 1960 US Women's Swimming Team Sets World Record: The United States women's 4 x 100m freestyle relay team, consisting of Joan Spillane, Shirley Stobs, Carolyn Wood, and Chris von Saltza, made Olympic history at the 1960 Rome Games. They swam an impressive world record time of 4:08.9, decisively defeating the Australian team by 2.4 seconds and securing the gold medal in a stunning display of swimming excellence.
  • 04 Sep 1960 Real Madrid Triumphs in Intercontinental Cup: In a spectacular display of football prowess, Real Madrid decisively defeated Peñarol of Uruguay 5-1 in the Intercontinental Cup at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The match, witnessed by an impressive crowd of 100,000 spectators, showcased Real Madrid's dominance in international club football during this era.
  • 05 Sep 1960 Muhammad Ali Wins Olympic Gold Medal: Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) wins the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing competition at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, marking a significant milestone in his legendary boxing career.
  • 06 Sep 1960 Manifesto of the 121 Published: The influential Manifesto of the 121 was published in the French magazine *Vérité-Liberté*, calling for recognition of the Algerian independence movement. This powerful declaration was signed by prominent cultural intellectuals including Jean-Paul Sartre, François Truffaut, and Simone Signoret, representing a significant moment of cultural and political resistance against French colonial policy.
  • 07 Sep 1960 Crown Prince Constantine II Wins Olympic Gold in Sailing: Crown Prince Constantine II of Greece wins a gold medal in sailing at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics, competing alongside two teammates. This victory highlights the royal family's sporting achievements and Greece's maritime tradition during the international sporting event.
  • 08 Sep 1960 Formation of OPEC: Five major oil-producing nations - Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela - formally establish the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a pivotal moment in global energy economics that would dramatically reshape international oil markets and geopolitical power dynamics.
  • 09 Sep 1960 First American Football League Game: The inaugural game of the American Football League (AFL) was played between the Denver Broncos and the Boston Patriots, with Denver winning 13-10. This marked a significant moment in professional football history, challenging the NFL's monopoly and eventually leading to the merger of the two leagues.
  • 10 Sep 1960 Abebe Bikila's Historic Olympic Marathon Victory: Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila made history by winning the men's marathon at the Rome Olympics, running barefoot and setting a world record time of 2:15:16.2. He became the first sub-Saharan African to win an Olympic gold medal, a groundbreaking achievement in international sports.
  • 11 Sep 1960 Lee Harvey Oswald's Military Discharge Status Changed: Lee Harvey Oswald's honorable discharge from the United States Marines was revised to an 'undesirable discharge' due to bringing 'discredit to the Marine Corps through adverse newspaper publicity' following his defection to the Soviet Union.
  • 12 Sep 1960 Kennedy's Historic Speech on Religious Tolerance: On September 12, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy delivered a landmark speech at the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, addressing critical concerns about his Catholic faith and its potential impact on his potential presidency. In this pivotal moment of the 1960 presidential campaign, Kennedy directly confronted widespread Protestant suspicions about a Catholic candidate by eloquently affirming his commitment to religious freedom and the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. He emphatically stated that his religious beliefs would not interfere with his duties as a potential president, emphasizing that he would serve all Americans regardless of their faith.
  • 13 Sep 1960 Dutch 1st Chamber condemns soccer-law
  • 14 Sep 1960 OPEC Foundation: Representatives from Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela formally established the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Baghdad, creating a powerful international oil cartel to coordinate petroleum policies and protect member states' interests.
  • 15 Sep 1960 OPEC Foundation Conference in Baghdad: The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was officially established during a landmark conference in Baghdad, bringing together representatives from five key oil-producing nations: Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. This meeting would fundamentally reshape global energy politics and economic dynamics in the decades to follow.
  • 16 Sep 1960 Amos Alonzo Stagg Retires at 98: Legendary football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg concludes his extraordinary coaching career at the remarkable age of 98, marking the end of an unprecedented era in American football coaching. Stagg is widely recognized as a pioneering figure who significantly influenced the development of modern football.
  • 17 Sep 1960 Cuba Nationalizes American Banks: On September 17, 1960, the Cuban government under Fidel Castro's leadership nationalized all American-owned banks operating within its territory. This significant economic action was part of a broader strategy to reduce U.S. economic influence in Cuba and marked an escalation of tensions between the two countries during the Cold War era.
  • 18 Sep 1960 Castro's UN Diplomatic Visit: Fidel Castro, the revolutionary leader of Cuba, arrived in New York City as the head of the Cuban delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. This visit was significant during the height of Cold War tensions, marking a pivotal moment in international diplomacy between Cuba and the United States.
  • 19 Sep 1960 Indus Waters Treaty Signed by India and Pakistan: In a landmark diplomatic agreement, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan signed the Indus Waters Treaty on September 19, 1960. The treaty comprehensively addressed the control and management of six major rivers: the Indus, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas, establishing a crucial framework for water resource sharing between the two nations.
  • 20 Sep 1960 Dr. Ernest Goodpasture Passes Away: On September 20, 1960, Dr. Ernest Goodpasture, a distinguished 73-year-old Vanderbilt University professor, died. He was renowned for his groundbreaking work in 1931, developing a revolutionary method for mass-producing vaccines using chicken embryos. His innovative technique dramatically advanced medical research and vaccine development, saving countless lives.
  • 21 Sep 1960 Launch of USS Enterprise: First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier: On September 21, 1960, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was launched at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, marking a revolutionary moment in naval engineering. As the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, this vessel represented a significant technological leap in maritime military capabilities. The Enterprise could operate continuously for extended periods without refueling, dramatically changing naval strategic mobility and power projection.
  • 22 Sep 1960 Mali's Independence from France: On September 22, 1960, Mali officially gained independence from France, marking a significant milestone in its post-colonial history. The country, formerly known as French Sudan, transitioned from a French colony to a sovereign nation.
  • 23 Sep 1960 Khrushchev's Provocative UN Address on Berlin Wall: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev delivered a landmark speech at the United Nations, dramatically calling for the dismantling of the Berlin Wall. This address was a significant diplomatic moment during the Cold War, highlighting the tensions between the Soviet Union and the Western powers. Khrushchev's bold statement challenged the existing geopolitical divide and symbolized the Soviet Union's stance on German reunification.
  • 24 Sep 1960 USS Enterprise Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Launch: The USS Enterprise, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was launched at Newport News, Virginia. This groundbreaking vessel represented a significant technological leap in naval engineering, featuring unprecedented specifications: 300,000 horsepower, 1,101.5 feet in length, and a construction cost of US$445 million. Designed to accommodate 100 aircraft, the Enterprise symbolized the United States' maritime technological superiority during the Cold War era.
  • 25 Sep 1960 USS Enterprise Launched: The USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was launched, becoming the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. This technological milestone represented a significant advancement in naval engineering and military capabilities during the Cold War era.
  • 26 Sep 1960 First Televised Presidential Debate in US History: On September 26, 1960, a groundbreaking moment in American political communication occurred when presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy participated in the first televised presidential debate in Chicago, Illinois. This historic event marked a significant shift in how political campaigns would be conducted, with television becoming a crucial medium for reaching voters.
  • 27 Sep 1960 John F. Kennedy Campaign Visit to Erie, Pennsylvania: On September 27, 1960, Democratic presidential nominee John F. Kennedy visited Erie, Pennsylvania, as part of his campaign trail. He was warmly received by local Democratic supporters and delivered a brief campaign speech. Following his public address, Kennedy attended a fundraising breakfast at the Lawrence Hotel. The event drew a substantial crowd of approximately 40,000 people, demonstrating significant local interest in his presidential campaign.
  • 28 Sep 1960 Ted Williams Retires from Major League Baseball: Baseball legend Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox played his final game against the Baltimore Orioles, concluding an illustrious career that solidified his status as one of baseball's greatest hitters.
  • 29 Sep 1960 Khrushchev's UN Disruption: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev dramatically disrupted a United Nations General Assembly meeting with a series of heated and unpredictable outbursts, creating a tense diplomatic moment during the Cold War era.
  • 30 Sep 1960 The Flintstones TV Premiere: The Flintstones made television history by becoming the first prime-time animated television series in the United States. This groundbreaking show premiered on ABC, introducing a new format of animated storytelling for adult audiences and paving the way for future animated sitcoms.