previous year1959
1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
1970next year

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

history

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

  • 01 Jan 1964 Dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland: The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved, marking a significant moment in African decolonization. The federation was split into three distinct territories: Northern Rhodesia (which became independent Zambia), Southern Rhodesia (later Zimbabwe), and Nyasaland (now Malawi). This political transformation represented a critical step in the region's transition from colonial rule to independent statehood.
  • 02 Jan 1964 Assassination Attempt on President Nkrumah: On January 2, 1964, a failed assassination attempt was made against President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, highlighting the political tensions and instability in the country during this period. The attempt underscored the challenges faced by African leaders in the post-colonial era.
  • 03 Jan 1964 Jack Paar Show, shows a clip of the Beatles singing She Loves You
  • 05 Jan 1964 Historic Meeting of Catholic and Orthodox Christian Leaders: Pope Paul VI meets the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Athenagoras I in Jerusalem, marking the first significant encounter between Catholic and Orthodox Christian leadership since the Great Schism of 1439. This groundbreaking diplomatic meeting represented a crucial step towards reconciliation between two major branches of Christianity.
  • 06 Jan 1964 Historic Meeting Between Pope and Orthodox Patriarch: Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople meet in Jerusalem, marking the first encounter between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches since the 15th century, symbolizing a significant step towards religious reconciliation.
  • 07 Jan 1964 The Beatles Debut on Ed Sullivan Show: The Beatles make their groundbreaking first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, marking the explosive launch of Beatlemania in the United States. This pivotal television performance would fundamentally transform American popular music and youth culture.
  • 08 Jan 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson declares a "War on Poverty" in the United States.
  • 09 Jan 1964 Martyrs' Day in Panama: Flag Incident and US-Panamanian Conflict: On January 9, 1964, a significant diplomatic and cultural incident occurred in the Panama Canal Zone. Several Panamanian youths attempted to raise the Panamanian flag in the US-controlled zone, which led to a violent confrontation. During the attempt, the Panamanian flag was torn, sparking four days of intense fighting between US armed forces and Panamanian civilians across the country. This event became a pivotal moment in Panama-US relations and is now commemorated as Martyrs' Day.
  • 10 Jan 1964 Beatles Album Release Dispute: Vee-Jay Records released 'Introducing... the Beatles' ahead of Capitol Records' planned 'Meet the Beatles!' release, sparking a legal battle between the two record companies over album distribution rights.
  • 11 Jan 1964 Landmark Surgeon General Report on Smoking Health Risks: Surgeon General Dr. Luther Terry, M.D., published a groundbreaking report titled 'Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the United States', definitively linking smoking to serious health risks. This report was a pivotal moment in public health, initiating widespread anti-smoking campaigns and eventually leading to significant tobacco regulation.
  • 12 Jan 1964 Zanzibar Revolution Begins: On January 12, 1964, a significant political uprising known as the Zanzibar Revolution commenced, with rebels overthrowing the Sultan of Zanzibar just one month after the country gained independence. The revolution led to the proclamation of a new republic, marking a pivotal moment in the region's post-colonial history.
  • 13 Jan 1964 John Glenn Resigns from Space Program: John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth and a national hero, resigned from NASA's space program. His resignation marked the end of an era for one of the most celebrated astronauts of the Mercury space program.
  • 14 Jan 1964 14th NBA All-Star Game in Boston: The 14th NBA All-Star Game was held in Boston, Massachusetts, with the Eastern Conference defeating the Western Conference 111-107 in an exciting matchup that showcased the era's top basketball talent.
  • 15 Jan 1964 Willie Mays Becomes Highest-Paid Baseball Player: The San Francisco Giants signed Willie Mays to a groundbreaking $105,000 per season contract, establishing him as the highest-paid player in baseball at that time and recognizing his extraordinary athletic achievements.
  • 16 Jan 1964 FBI Indicts Civil Rights Murder Suspects: The FBI indicted 18 suspects in the murders of civil rights workers Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, a critical moment in the investigation of racially motivated violence during the Civil Rights Movement.
  • 17 Jan 1964 Nelson Mandela Begins Historic Imprisonment on Robben Island: Nelson Mandela, a prominent anti-apartheid activist and leader of the African National Congress, was imprisoned on Robben Island, marking the beginning of a 27-year incarceration that would become a pivotal moment in the struggle against racial segregation in South Africa. His imprisonment would ultimately transform him into a global symbol of resistance and reconciliation.
  • 18 Jan 1964 Civil Rights Leaders Meet with President Johnson: A crucial White House meeting occurred between four prominent civil rights leaders—Roy Wilkins, James Farmer, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Whitney Young—and President Lyndon B. Johnson. The primary objective was to discuss strategies for advancing the stalled civil rights legislation that was currently blocked in the House Rules Committee.
  • 19 Jan 1964 AFL Pro Bowl Game: The American Football League (AFL) Pro Bowl is held, with the West team defeating the East team 27-24 in an exciting all-star football match.
  • 20 Jan 1964 Meet The Beatles Album Release in United States: The Beatles' groundbreaking album 'Meet The Beatles' was officially released in the United States, marking a pivotal moment in the band's international breakthrough and the beginning of the British Invasion in American popular music.
  • 21 Jan 1964 Carl T. Rowan Appointed as USIA Director: Carl T. Rowan was appointed as the director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) on January 21, 1964. As an African American journalist and diplomat, Rowan's appointment was significant during the Civil Rights era, marking a notable moment of progress in government representation. The USIA was responsible for public diplomacy and international broadcasting, playing a crucial role in shaping America's global image during the Cold War.
  • 22 Jan 1964 24th Amendment Ratification: Thirteen years after its proposal and nearly two years after its passage by the United States Senate, the 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, prohibiting the use of poll taxes in national elections. This amendment was a significant step towards ensuring voting rights and reducing discriminatory electoral practices.
  • 23 Jan 1964 24th Amendment Ratification: Ending Poll Taxes: The 24th Amendment was ratified, prohibiting poll taxes in federal elections. This landmark constitutional amendment was a significant step in combating voter suppression tactics that historically disenfranchised African American voters, particularly in Southern states.
  • 24 Jan 1964 24th Amendment Ratified: Voting Rights Protection: The 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution goes into effect, prohibiting poll taxes that historically prevented low-income citizens, particularly African Americans, from exercising their right to vote. This landmark constitutional amendment represents a significant milestone in the ongoing civil rights movement, ensuring that voting cannot be denied due to an individual's inability to pay a tax.
  • 25 Jan 1964 The Beatles' First US #1 Hit: The Beatles achieve their first #1 hit on the Cash Box chart with 'I Want to Hold Your Hand', marking a significant moment in the British Invasion of American popular music.
  • 26 Jan 1964 Nelson Mandela Sentenced to Life Imprisonment: Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court of South Africa for his anti-apartheid activism, a pivotal moment in the struggle against racial segregation that would ultimately lead to his release and presidency.
  • 27 Jan 1964 The Beatles' US Album Release: The album "Introducing the Beatles" was released in the United States, marking an important milestone in the band's international breakthrough and the beginning of the British Invasion in American popular music.
  • 28 Jan 1964 An unarmed United States Air Force T-39 Sabreliner on a training mission is shot down over Erfurt, East Germany, by a Soviet MiG-19.
  • 29 Jan 1964 Dr. Strangelove Film Release: Stanley Kubrick's satirical black comedy 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' was released in the United States, offering a darkly humorous critique of Cold War nuclear tensions.
  • 30 Jan 1964 Civil Rights Act Advances in Congress: The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 cleared a critical procedural hurdle by passing through the House Rules Committee, marking a significant moment in the legislative journey toward comprehensive civil rights legislation in the United States.
  • 31 Jan 1964 US Surgeon General's Report Links Smoking to Lung Cancer: The landmark U.S. Surgeon General's report definitively established a causal relationship between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, marking a critical moment in public health awareness and tobacco regulation.