Your place in the Universe on 1960
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Get your map!The Highlights of 1960: A Year That Shaped the Future
1960 (MCMLX in Roman Numerals) was the year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1960th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations.
Is 1960 a year special to you? Discover what 1960 was famous for, Key World Leaders of 1960, 1960 Time’s Person of the Year, the #1 song, movie and book in 1960, how old is someone born in 1960 and what Chinese zodiac sign is associated to 1960.
On this page we will address all your questions and curiosities about 1960 to help you enjoy your trip down memory lane.
Table of contents
- What was 1960 known for ?
- Key World Leaders of 1960
- Who was the U.S. President in 1960?
- Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1960?
- Who was the Pope in 1960?
- 1960: Who was Time's Person of the Year?
- What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1960?
- What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1960?
- What was the most popular movie in 1960?
- What was the best selling book in 1960?
- How old is someone born in 1960?
- What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1960?
What was 1960 known for ?
- 1960 was the year known as the year of Africa.
- Seventeen countries gained their independence from their colonial masters, through armed struggle. A charismatic John F. Kennedy presented to the American people an ambitious domestic agenda, where he sought to oust inequality and injustice. In this year, Elvis Presley released his tenth studio album named Elvis Is Back!
- By 1960, the United States of America was at the height of civil rights freedom marches. Coincidentally the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first artificially produced birth control pill in the world. The pill took six years undergoing clinical tests and approved on May 9.
- Twelve days later on May 21, the first tremor of an earthquake hit the Valdivia city in Chile. The series of earthquakes started with a 7.6 magnitude and followed by an 8.5 magnitude quake. The cause of the earthquakes was the Nazca oceanic plate plunged 50 feet below the South American plate. The effects were massive landslides down the nearby mountains. At twenty minutes past four, a 26-foot wave hit the coast taking with it buildings and other structures as it receded. A few moments later, a 35-foot wave rolled into the shore, and it killed more people than a thousand people. An estimated 5000 died and 2 million people left homeless.
- In a rather bizarre incident, two planes collided over New York City on the snowy morning of December 16. The incident left 134 people dead, both in the airplanes as well as on the ground. When the debris landed, it took 72 hours to put out the multiple fires.
- Unbeknownst to many people, the establishment of the American Football League (AFL) was in 1960 and meant to rival the National Football League (NFL). Finally, the American toy inventor, Randi Altschul was born in 1960.
- The world population in 1960 was 3,034,949,748 people according to data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. This figure includes both urban and rural populations. The urban population at that time accounted for 34.0% of the total population, which is roughly 1.0 billion individuals.The annual population change in 1960 was an increase of +55.4 million people, representing a percentage increase of +1.86% over the previous year.The average population density in 1960 was 12 persons per square mile (or 20 persons per square kilometer).
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Key World Leaders of 1960
Who was the U.S. President in 1960?
In 1960, Dwight D. Eisenhower (Republican) was the President of the United States. His term spanned from January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961. During his presidency, he created the Interstate Highway System and strengthened NATO during the Cold War.
Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1960?
In 1960 the UK Prime Minister was Harold Macmillan (Conservative). During his premiership, he promoted decolonization and declared that the 'winds of change' were sweeping through Africa.
Who was the Pope in 1960?
The leader of the Catholic Church in 1960 was Pope John XXIII who had held the papacy since 1958. His pontificate is best known for convening the Second Vatican Council, which modernized Church practices and encouraged dialogue with other faiths.
1960: Who was Time's Person of the Year?
U.S. Scientists
In 1960, U.S. Scientists was named by TIME magazine as Person of the Year. Represented by George Beadle, Charles Draper, John Enders, Donald A. Glaser, Joshua Lederberg, Willard Libby, Linus Pauling, Edward Purcell, Isidor Rabi, Emilio Segrè, William Shockley, Edward Teller, Charles Townes, James Van Allen, and Robert Woodward.
What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1960?
The number 1 song in the USA in 1960, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was The Theme From A Summer Place by Percy Faith
What was the number 1 song in the UK in 1960?
The number 1 song in the UK in 1960, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was Please Don't Tease by Cliff Richard
What was the most popular movie in 1960?
The most popular movie and box office hit was La notte by Michelangelo Antonioni
What was the best selling book in 1960?
How old is someone born in 1960?
Someone born in 1960 is 65 years old this year.
Try out our age, time and generation calculators:
What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1960?
According to the Chinese Zodiac and Astrology 1960 was the Year of the Rat.
Discover Zodiac Sign Characteristics and Personality Traits of people born under the Rat sign.