Video: '1960: Be A Man- Sell Out (1970 documentary narrated by Peter Jennings)' (Rome Olympics at 9:20)
(Thursday, August 25, 1960, 4:30 p.m. Central European Time) — The 1960 Summer Olympics opened today at Stadio Olimpico in Rome with a record 5,348 athletes from 83 nations competing. Continue reading 1960 Summer Olympics open in Rome 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 25 1960)
Video: 'IFP:135 F-12-1M Eisenhower on Nixon - JFK Campaign Spot'
(Wednesday, August 24, 1960, 10:30-11:00 a.m. EDT; during the 1960 United States presidential election) — U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had long been ambivalent about Vice President (and now GOP presidential nominee) Richard Nixon, held a televised press conference today in which a reporter, Charles Mohr of Time, mentioned Nixon’s claims that he had been a valuable administration insider and adviser.
Mohr asked Eisenhower if he could give an example of a major idea of Nixon’s that he had heeded. Eisenhower responded with the flip comment, “If you give me a week, I might think of one.”
Although both Eisenhower and Nixon later claimed that he was merely joking with the reporter, the remark hurt Nixon, as it undercut his claims of having greater decision-making experience than Nixon’s Democratic opponent, Senator John F. Kennedy.
The remark proved so damaging to Nixon that the Democrats turned Eisenhower’s statement into a television commercial.
Video: 'The Beatles in Hamburg'
(Tuesday, August 16, 1960, during The Beatles in Hamburg) — The largely unknown English rock group The Beatles — consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and brand new drummer Pete Best — embarked today on a journey from their hometown of Liverpool, England, to Hamburg, West Germany, to begin their first residency in the port city at the Indra Club the following evening. Continue reading The Beatles depart Liverpool for first residency in Hamburg, West Germany 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 16 1960)
(Monday, August 15, 1960) — “It’s Now or Never” by Elvis Presley peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for five consecutive weeks (Aug. 15/22/29, Sept. 5/12, 1960). Continue reading ‘It’s Now or Never’ by Elvis Presley peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1960)
(Monday, August 8, 1960) — “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini” by Brian Hyland peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini’ by Brian Hyland peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 8 1960)
Video: '1960 Richard Nixon Republican Convention Acceptance Speech'
(Thursday, July 28, 1960, evening CDT; during the 1960 Republican National Convention) — Vice President Richard Nixon of California accepted the Republican presidential nomination tonight at International Amphitheatre in Chicago, pledging that his administration would develop a “an offensive for peace and freedom” against communism designed to win the battle for freedom without war. Continue reading Richard Nixon accepts Republican presidential nomination 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 28 1960)
Video: 'Woolworth Lunch Counter'
(Monday, July 25, 1960, 2:30 p.m. EDT; during the Greensboro sit-ins, part of the civil rights movement) — The lunch counter at the Woolworth’s store in Greensboro, North Carolina, where the “Greensboro Four,” four black students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (Joseph McNeil, David Richmond, Franklin McCain and Ezell Blair, Jr.), had started the first sit-in on Feb. 1, 1960, began service to African-American customers (actually, four store employees) today. Continue reading Lunch counter at Woolworth store in Greenboro, North Carolina desegregated 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 25 1960)
(Monday, July 25, 1960) — “Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)” by Roy Orbison peaked at #2 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)’ by Roy Orbison peaks at #2 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 25 1960)
Video: 'SIRIMAVO BANDARANAIKE, WORLD'S FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER (SRI LANKA'S IRON LADY)'
(Wednesday, July 20, 1960) — Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world’s first elected female head of government today after her Sri Lanka Freedom Party won a majority in elections in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Continue reading Sirimavo Bandaranaike becomes first elected female head of government 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 20 1960)
(Monday, July 18, 1960) — “I’m Sorry” by Brenda Lee peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three consecutive weeks (July 18/25, Aug. 1, 1960).
Continue reading ‘I’m Sorry’ by Brenda Lee peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 18 1960)
