Category Archives: 1960s

FBI finds three bodies of missing civil rights workers 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'The True Story of Mississippi Burning' (Aug. 4, 1964, at 32:29)

(Tuesday, August 4, 1964, just after 3:00 p.m. local time; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–68)) — Bodies believed to be those of three civil rights workers (Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney) missing since June 21, 1964, were found buried in an earthen dam early tonight near Philadelphia, Mississippi. Continue reading FBI finds three bodies of missing civil rights workers 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964) →

Communist PT boats allegedly renew raids at Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964)

1960s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - LBJ Goes to War [3/11]' (Gulf of Tonkin incident, Aug. 4, 1964, at 12:35)

(Tuesday, August 4, 1964, 10:30 p.m. North Vietnamese time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Defense Department announced tonight that North Vietnamese PT boats made a “deliberate attack” today on two United States destroyers patrolling international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin off North Vietnam. Continue reading Communist PT boats allegedly renew raids at Gulf of Tonkin 50 years ago this hour (Aug 4 1964) →

Country singer Jim Reeves dies in plane crash 50 years ago this hour (July 31 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'EXCLUSIVE! Jim Reeves Plane Crash Video'

(Friday, July 31, 1964, 4:52 p.m. local time) — Country singer-songwriter Jim Reeves, 40, and his manager, Dean Manuel, were killed today when the private plane Reeves was piloting crashed in bad weather near Nashville. Continue reading Country singer Jim Reeves dies in plane crash 50 years ago this hour (July 31 1964) →

Ranger 7 reaches the moon, transmits pictures back to Earth 50 years ago this hour (July 31 1964)

1960s, space exploration


Video: 'Ranger VII Photographs of the Moon 1964 NASA JPL First Successful US Lunar Spacecraft'

(Friday, July 31, 1964, 16:50:00 UTC) — Ranger 7 radioed to earth today the first close-up pictures of the moon — a historic collection of 4,000 pictures one thousand times as clear as anything ever seen through earth-bound telescopes.

The Beatles arrive at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm 50 years ago this hour (July 28 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, The Beatles 1960s


Video: 'The Beatles in Sweden 1964' (July 28, 1964, airport arrival at 0:00-1:55)

(Tuesday, July 28, 1964, 12:30 p.m. CET) — The Beatles arrived today at Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, where more than 3,000 fans were waiting to welcome them to Sweden.

Teamsters president Hoffa convicted on use of funds 50 years ago today (July 26 1964)

1960s


Image: 'Hoffa, second row, center, leaves court after being found guilty of jury tampering in 1964'

(Sunday, July 26, 1964) — A federal jury found James R. Hoffa, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (who is appealing a Chattanooga federal court conviction for jury tampering), guilty of mail and wire fraud and conspiracy today in the use of his union’s pension fund; six co-defendants were found guilty of conspiracy.

Harlem Riot of 1964 begins 50 years ago this hour (July 18 1964)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'NYC Riots 1964

(Saturday, July 18, 1964, about 10:00 p.m. EDT; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–68)) — Nearly a week of rioting erupted tonight in New York’s Harlem neighborhood, two days after the fatal police shooting of a black teenager, James Powell.

Republicans nominate Sen. Barry Goldwater for president 50 years ago this hour (July 15 1964)

1960s


Video: 'Mr. Conservative: Barry Goldwater at the 1964 Republican National Convention' (roll call at 3:04-3:49)

(Wednesday, July 15, 1964, 10:13 p.m. PDT) — Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona, the champion of a new American conservatism, was nominated for president tonight by the 1964 Republican National Convention meeting at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. Continue reading Republicans nominate Sen. Barry Goldwater for president 50 years ago this hour (July 15 1964) →

Rockefeller booed by Goldwater supporters at GOP convention 50 years ago tonight (July 14 1964)

1960s


Video: 'Nelson Rockefeller: Republican Party must repudiate extremists'

(Tuesday, July 14, 1964) — In a speech to the Republican national convention in San Francisco tonight, New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller was repeatedly interrupted and heckled by supporters of Barry Goldwateras he called on the GOP to denounce political extremists (click here to watch an extended clip of Rockefeller’s speech).