previous year1959
1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
1970next year

Major Events of September 1966: 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 1966 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of September 1966: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Sep 1966 Zhou Enlai Protects Soong Ching-ling: During the tumultuous Cultural Revolution, China's Prime Minister Zhou Enlai intervened to protect Mrs. Soong Ching-ling, the widow of revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen. He ordered the Red Guards to cease their attacks, declaring her a 'heroine of the Chinese Communist revolution' and ensuring her safety and respect.
  • 02 Sep 1966 Alabama Governor Rejects Federal Education Aid: On September 2, 1966, Alabama Governor George C. Wallace signed a controversial bill into law, refusing to accept U.S. federal government financial assistance for the state's education system. This action was part of Wallace's broader stance of resistance against federal intervention in state affairs, particularly in the context of ongoing civil rights tensions during the 1960s.
  • 03 Sep 1966 World Science Fiction Convention Honors Gene Roddenberry: The 24th World Science Fiction Convention celebrated Gene Roddenberry, the visionary creator of Star Trek, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to science fiction television and storytelling.
  • 04 Sep 1966 Martin Luther King Jr.'s Nonviolent Response to Potential Assassination Attempt: During a drive through town, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. encountered a potentially life-threatening situation when a white gas station attendant pulled a pistol and threatened him. Instead of showing fear, King responded with remarkable composure and love, saying, 'Brother, I love you.' His nonviolent approach stunned the would-be assailant, who ultimately lowered his weapon and walked away. This incident exemplifies King's philosophy of peaceful resistance and transformative love in the face of racial hatred.
  • 05 Sep 1966 Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon Raises $1 Million: Jerry Lewis hosted his first Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day telethon, successfully raising $1 million for muscular dystrophy research and support, marking a significant milestone in charitable fundraising for medical research.
  • 06 Sep 1966 Assassination of Hendrik Verwoerd: On September 6, 1966, Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, the primary architect of South Africa's apartheid system, was fatally stabbed during a parliamentary session in Cape Town. The assassination marked a critical moment in South African political history, removing a key figure responsible for institutionalizing racial segregation and oppression.
  • 07 Sep 1966 Final Episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show: The final new episode of the iconic sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show airs, concluding its successful run that began on October 3, 1961. The show, starring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, was a groundbreaking comedy series that significantly influenced television comedy.
  • 08 Sep 1966 Star Trek Premieres on NBC: The groundbreaking science fiction television series Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry, debuts with its first episode 'The Man Trap'. This landmark show follows the adventures of the crew aboard the starship USS Enterprise and would go on to become a cultural phenomenon that significantly influenced science fiction storytelling and popular culture.
  • 09 Sep 1966 Gemini 11 Space Mission Milestone: Astronauts Richard Gordon and Pete Conrad successfully dock the Gemini 11 spacecraft with an Agena target vehicle, demonstrating advanced orbital rendezvous and docking capabilities crucial for future space exploration.
  • 10 Sep 1966 The Beatles' 'Revolver' Album Tops Charts: The Beatles' groundbreaking album 'Revolver' reaches number one on the music charts and maintains its top position for six consecutive weeks, showcasing the band's innovative musical style and cultural impact.
  • 11 Sep 1966 French Nuclear Test at Mururoa Atoll: France conducted a nuclear test at the Mururoa Atoll in French Polynesia, continuing its nuclear weapons development program during the Cold War era.
  • 12 Sep 1966 Racial Violence in Grenada, Mississippi School Integration: A significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement where 250 Black students attempted to integrate Grenada schools, facing violent white mob resistance. Despite the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling, local white leaders used intimidation tactics. When students arrived, they were attacked with chains, pipes, and clubs, with some hospitalized. Federal intervention eventually occurred, with the FBI arresting 13 mob members.
  • 13 Sep 1966 Tensions in Chinese Communist Party: TASS reported significant internal conflicts between the Chinese Communist Party and the Red Guards, highlighting the turbulent period of the Cultural Revolution.
  • 15 Sep 1966 Johnson Calls for Gun Control After University of Texas Shooting: In response to a tragic sniper attack at the University of Texas at Austin, President Lyndon B. Johnson drafted a letter to Congress, urging immediate action on gun control legislation to prevent future violence.
  • 16 Sep 1966 Metropolitan Opera Opens at Lincoln Center: The Metropolitan Opera officially inaugurated its new home at Lincoln Center in New York City, marking a significant milestone in American performing arts. The state-of-the-art venue represented a modern architectural and cultural achievement, symbolizing the city's commitment to world-class artistic excellence.
  • 17 Sep 1966 Mission: Impossible TV Show Debuts: The iconic American television series Mission: Impossible premiered on the CBS network, introducing audiences to a groundbreaking spy drama that would become a cultural phenomenon. The show, featuring a team of secret agents executing complex missions, would later inspire a successful film franchise starring Tom Cruise.
  • 18 Sep 1966 Black Panther Party Founded: Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton establish the Black Panther Party in Oakland, California, a pivotal moment in the African American civil rights movement focused on combating police brutality and systemic racism.
  • 19 Sep 1966 Mike Burke is named New York Yankees president.
  • 20 Sep 1966 US Surveyor B Moon Mission Attempt: NASA launched the Surveyor B spacecraft as part of its lunar exploration program, aiming to conduct scientific investigations on the Moon's surface. Unfortunately, the mission encountered technical difficulties and crashed on September 23, 1966, before achieving its primary objectives.
  • 21 Sep 1966 Jimi Hendrix Name Change: On September 21, 1966, legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix officially changed the spelling of his first name from 'Jimmy' to 'Jimi', marking a personal branding moment early in his groundbreaking musical career.
  • 22 Sep 1966 Peshawar Church Suicide Bombing: A devastating suicide bombing at a church in Peshawar, Pakistan, resulted in at least 75 fatalities, marking a tragic moment of religious-based violence.
  • 24 Sep 1966 Hurricane Inez Devastates Caribbean Region: From September 24 to 30, 1966, Hurricane Inez unleashed widespread destruction across the Caribbean, Florida, and Mexico, resulting in a tragic loss of 293 lives. The hurricane was one of the most deadly and destructive storms of the 1966 hurricane season, causing extensive damage to coastal communities and infrastructure.
  • 25 Sep 1966 Historic Baseball Moment: Holtzman Meets Koufax: A memorable baseball encounter at Wrigley Field featured rookie pitcher Ken Holtzman facing veteran Sandy Koufax. Both left-handed pitchers were Jewish and had previously observed Yom Kippur by declining to pitch, symbolizing cultural respect and professional dedication.
  • 26 Sep 1966 Zhou Enlai Calls for Restraint During Cultural Revolution: Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai issued a critical directive to the Red Guards, ordering them to cease attacks on Mrs. Soong Ching-ling (widow of Sun Yat-sen) and to stop their violent actions and destruction of cultural artifacts, signaling a potential moderation of the Cultural Revolution's extreme tactics.
  • 28 Sep 1966 AndrĂ© Breton, Surrealist Movement Founder, Dies: AndrĂ© Breton, the influential French poet and founder of the Surrealist movement, passed away on September 28, 1966. Breton was a pivotal figure in 20th-century art and literature, who significantly shaped avant-garde artistic and literary movements through his revolutionary ideas about creativity, unconscious expression, and artistic freedom.
  • 29 Sep 1966 Botswana Gains Independence: Bechuanaland officially gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 29, 1966, transforming into the sovereign nation of Botswana. This marked a significant milestone in African decolonization, with Seretse Khama becoming the country's first president. The peaceful transition represented a notable example of diplomatic independence in post-colonial Africa.
  • 30 Sep 1966 Botswana Gains Independence: The British protectorate of Bechuanaland declares its independence and becomes the Republic of Botswana. Seretse Khama takes office as the first President, marking a significant milestone in the nation's history of self-governance.