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Major Events of February 1964: 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 1964 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of February 1964: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Feb 1964 The Beatles' First US #1 Hit: The Beatles achieved their first number one hit in the United States with 'I Want to Hold Your Hand', which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and remained at #1 for seven consecutive weeks. This milestone marked the beginning of the 'British Invasion' in American popular music, signaling a transformative moment in 20th-century musical culture.
  • 02 Feb 1964 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees: Six legendary baseball players and managers - Red Faber, Burleigh Grimes, Tim Keefe, Heinie Manush, John Montgomery Ward, and Miller Huggins - are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, honoring their significant contributions to the sport.
  • 03 Feb 1964 New York City School Boycott: On February 3, 1964, nearly 464,000 New York City school children — almost half of the city's student body — boycotted school as part of a massive protest against racial school segregation. Led by civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, the demonstration involved picketers at 300 schools and a significant march across the Brooklyn Bridge to the Board of Education building, highlighting the urgent need for educational equality.
  • 04 Feb 1964 24th Amendment Bans Poll Tax: The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, effectively outlawing poll taxes that had been used to disenfranchise African American voters in many Southern states. This amendment was a significant milestone in the civil rights movement, removing a discriminatory barrier to voting.
  • 05 Feb 1964 Kashmir Dispute Escalation: On February 5, 1964, India effectively abandoned its earlier commitment to hold a UN-supervised plebiscite in the disputed Kashmir territory. In March 1965, the Indian Parliament further solidified its stance by passing a legislative bill that formally declared Kashmir a province of India. This action marked a significant moment in the long-standing territorial conflict, reversing the 1948 UN Security Council commitment and unilaterally asserting control over the contested region.
  • 06 Feb 1964 The Beatles Arrive in America: The Beatles landed at New York City's JFK International Airport, receiving an unprecedented, hysterical welcome from thousands of screaming fans, marking the official beginning of 'Beatlemania' in the United States.
  • 07 Feb 1964 The Beatles Arrive in New York City: The Beatles landed at John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport, marking the beginning of their historic first US tour. This momentous event would spark the 'British Invasion' in American popular music and dramatically transform the cultural landscape of the 1960s.
  • 08 Feb 1964 Civil Rights Protection for Women in the 1964 Civil Rights Act: Representative Martha Griffiths delivered a pivotal address in the U.S. House of Representatives that successfully added gender-based civil rights protections to the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act. Her strategic intervention ensured that women would be legally protected against discrimination in employment, education, and public accommodations, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of women's rights in the United States.
  • 09 Feb 1964 Beatles First Ed Sullivan Show Appearance: The Beatles made their groundbreaking first live performance on American television, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show in New York City. This historic moment was watched by an estimated 73.7 million viewers and is widely considered the catalyst for the British Invasion of American popular music.
  • 10 Feb 1964 Bob Dylan Releases 'The Times They Are A-Changin'': Bob Dylan released his iconic album 'The Times They Are A-Changin'', which became a seminal work of the 1960s folk music movement. The title track, in particular, became an anthem of social change and cultural transformation during the turbulent decade.
  • 11 Feb 1964 The Beatles' First US Concert: On February 11, 1964, The Beatles made their groundbreaking first live concert appearance in the United States at the Washington, DC Coliseum. The event was a massive cultural milestone, drawing approximately 20,000 enthusiastic fans who witnessed the British rock band's initial public performance on American soil. This concert marked the beginning of the 'British Invasion' in American popular music and significantly influenced the cultural landscape of the 1960s.
  • 12 Feb 1964 Beatles First New York City Concert: The Beatles performed their first concert in New York City, marking a significant moment in their early international breakthrough and the beginning of the British Invasion of American popular music.
  • 13 Feb 1964 The Beatles Make Historic Ed Sullivan Show Debut: The Beatles made their groundbreaking first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, broadcasting live from New York and captivating an unprecedented audience of 73.7 million television viewers. This performance marked a pivotal moment in music history, effectively launching the British Invasion and transforming popular culture in the United States.
  • 15 Feb 1964 The Beatles' "Meet the Beatles!" Album Tops Charts: The Beatles' groundbreaking album "Meet the Beatles!" reaches #1 on the music charts and maintains its top position for an impressive 11 consecutive weeks, signaling the band's explosive rise to international fame during the early stages of the British Invasion.
  • 16 Feb 1964 Foxy Musical Opens on Broadway: The musical 'Foxy', created by Robert Emmett Dolan and Johnny Mercer, premieres at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City. The production stars legendary comedian Bert Lahr and will run for 72 performances, with Lahr winning a Tony Award for his performance.
  • 17 Feb 1964 Supreme Court One-Man-One-Vote Ruling: In the landmark case Wesberry v. Sanders, the United States Supreme Court ruled that congressional districts must be approximately equal in population, establishing the critical principle of electoral representation fairness.
  • 18 Feb 1964 Papandreou government takes power in Greece.
  • 19 Feb 1964 Malcolm X Assassinated in New York City: Malcolm X, prominent civil rights leader, black nationalist, and founder of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, is assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. Believed to be killed by members of the Nation of Islam, an organization he had recently left, his murder marks a tragic moment in the African American civil rights movement.
  • 20 Feb 1964 Jennifer Doudna Born: Jennifer Doudna, a pioneering American biochemist known for her groundbreaking work in CRISPR gene-editing technology, was born on February 20, 1964. Her research has revolutionized genetic engineering and molecular biology, earning her the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.
  • 21 Feb 1964 Failed Assassination Attempt on Turkish Prime Minister: An assassination attempt against Turkish Prime Minister İsmet İnönü was thwarted when the would-be assassin failed to hit the target despite being at close range, firing three shots that missed. This incident highlights the political tensions and security challenges in Turkey during the mid-1960s.
  • 22 Feb 1964 The Beatles Return from Groundbreaking US Tour: The Beatles arrived back in England after completing their historic first visit to the United States, marking a pivotal moment in the band's international breakthrough. This tour, which included their legendary appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, had catapulted them to unprecedented global fame and signaled the beginning of the British Invasion in popular music.
  • 23 Feb 1964 Chrysler HEMI Engine Debuts at Daytona 500: Chrysler introduces its Second Generation HEMI racing engine (426 cubic inches with hemispherical head design) at the Daytona 500. The powerful engine powers Richard Petty's Plymouth, which wins the race, with HEMI-powered Plymouths securing the top three positions.
  • 24 Feb 1964 Cassius Clay Defeats Sonny Liston for Heavyweight Boxing Title: In a historic boxing match, Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) defeated Sonny Liston, claiming the world heavyweight boxing championship. This fight was a pivotal moment in sports history, marking the rise of one of the most iconic and influential athletes of the 20th century. Clay's unexpected victory over the formidable Liston shocked the boxing world and launched his legendary career.
  • 25 Feb 1964 Muhammad Ali Defeats Sonny Liston: In a historic boxing match, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. (later known as Muhammad Ali) defeated world heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston via a seventh-round technical knockout at the Convention Hall arena in Miami Beach, Florida. This landmark fight marked the beginning of Ali's legendary boxing career and his first world heavyweight title.
  • 26 Feb 1964 The Beatles' Cinematic Debut: The theatrical release of 'A Hard Day's Night' marked a pivotal moment in music and film history. The movie not only showcased the immense popularity of The Beatles but also revolutionized the music film genre, blending comedy, music, and the band's charismatic personalities into a groundbreaking cinematic experience.
  • 27 Feb 1964 Preservation Efforts for Leaning Tower of Pisa: The Italian government initiated urgent preservation efforts to prevent the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa from potentially toppling over. This marked a significant moment in architectural conservation, highlighting the global importance of protecting historical landmarks.
  • 28 Feb 1964 The Beatles Record Second 'From Us to You' Radio Program: The Beatles recorded their second 'From Us to You' radio program at the BBC Piccadilly Studios in London. During this recording session, they performed eight songs: You Can't Do That, Roll Over Beethoven, Till There Was You, I Wanna Be Your Man, Please Mr. Postman, All My Loving, This Boy, and Can't Buy Me Love. This session was part of their early radio performances that helped solidify their growing popularity.
  • 29 Feb 1964 LBJ Reveals Secret A-11 Jet Fighter: U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson publicly discloses the United States' secret development of the advanced A-11 jet fighter, a significant technological achievement in military aviation during the Cold War era, highlighting America's aerospace engineering capabilities.