Category Archives: 1960s

U.S. Supreme Court overturns death sentence because prosecution withheld evidence 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s


(Monday, May 13, 1963) — The U.S. Supreme Court, in Brady v. Maryland, upheld today, 7-2, a lower court decision overturning the death sentence (but not the conviction) of John L. Brady for murder because the prosecution had withheld from the defense a statement by a separately tried accomplice, Charles D. Boblit, that he’d actually carried out the 1958 killing of William Brooks during a robbery.

Brady spent years in prison in legal limbo, declining his right to another sentencing hearing; he was eventually paroled. Boblit, 79, remains imprisoned in Maryland.

Bob Dylan walks off ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ set in censorship dispute 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


(Sunday, May 12, 1963) — Bob Dylan walked off the set of the variety TV program The Ed Sullivan Show this afternoon because CBS would not allow him to sing “Talking John Birch Society Blues” on tonight’s show. Continue reading Bob Dylan walks off ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ set in censorship dispute 50 years ago today (1963) →

Betty Miller becomes first woman to fly solo across Pacific Ocean 50 years ago this hour (1963)

1960s


(Sunday, May 12, 1963, 10:20 p.m. local time) — Pilot Betty Miller, 36, became the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean today as she landed her Piper Apache in Brisbane, Australia, having left Oakland, Calif., on April 30, making three stopovers along the way.

JFK hails Birmingham racial truce 50 years ago this hour (1963)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'President John F. Kennedy's 55th News Conference, May 8, 1963'

(Wednesday, May 8, 1963, 4:00 p.m. EDT; during the Birmingham Campaign, part of the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–68)) — U.S. President John F. Kennedy today at his news conference hailed what looked like a compromise in the tense racial situation in Birmingham, Alabama — the halt of African-American demonstrations in exchange for “steps to meet the justifiable needs of the Negro community.”

Children’s Crusade begins in Birmingham, Alabama 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights


Video: 'Birmingham 1963' (May 2, 1963, at 0:53)

(Thursday, May 2, 1963; during the American Civil Rights Movement‘s Birmingham Campaign) — The Children’s Crusade began today in Birmingham, Alabama, as more than 1,000 black schoolchildren skipped classes and marched downtown to protest racial segregation; hundreds were arrested. During another march the following day, authorities unleashed police dogs and fire hoses on the young protesters.

‘Virginia Woolf?’ and ‘Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ big winners at Tony Awards 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, Broadway


Video: '"OBCR - "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"' (six-part playlist)

(Sunday, April 28, 1963) — Broadway’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was named best play today at the 17th Tony Awards, while A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum won best musical. The ceremony was held in the Hotel Americana Imperial Ballroom in New York City and hosted by Abe Burrows and Robert Morse.

The Beatles go on holiday 50 years ago today (1963)

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


Video: 'THE BEATLES IN TENERIFE MAY 1963'

(Sunday, April 28, 1963) — The Beatles set off today on their first vacations of 1963. John Lennon accompanied manager Brian Epstein to Barcelona and Torremolinos, Spain, while Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr headed for Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, in the Canary Islands off Spain’s coast, meeting up with old friends from Hamburg, Klaus Voormann and Astrid Kirchherr. Continue reading The Beatles go on holiday 50 years ago today (1963) →

Judy Garland performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 50 years ago this hour (1963)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: 'Judy Garland - Smile'

(Sunday, April 14, 1963, 8 p.m. EST) — Judy Garland performed “Smile (Though Your Heart Is Breaking)” and “I Could Go on Singing” on tonight’s edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show, taped in London. Continue reading Judy Garland performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 50 years ago this hour (1963) →

King arrested during protest against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama 50 years ago today (1963)

1960s, African-American Civil Rights

(Friday, April 12, 1963, Good Friday; during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–68)) — Civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested and jailed today in Birmingham, Alabama, charged with contempt of court and parading without a permit for his part in the Birmingham campaign, a planned non-violent protest against racial segregation by Birmingham’s city government and downtown retailers.

During his time behind bars, King wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”; he was released on bond on April 20.