The 1960s

1961 65 years ago

The Antarctic Treaty System, which sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve and limits military activity on the co

The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth's only cont…

The Antarctic Treaty System, which sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve and limits military activity on the co

1961 65 years ago

On its maiden voyage, the Soviet nuclear-powered submarine K-19 suffers a complete loss of coolant to its reactor. The…

K-19 was the first submarine of the Project 658 class, the first generation of Soviet nuclear submarines equipped with nuclear ballistic missiles, specifically the R-13 SLBM. The b…

On its maiden voyage, the Soviet nuclear-powered submarine K-19 suffers a complete loss of coolant to its reactor. The…

1961 65 years ago

David Servan-Schreiber, French physician, neuroscientist, and author (died 2011)

David Servan-Schreiber was a French physician, neuroscientist and author. He was a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was also …

David Servan-Schreiber, French physician, neuroscientist, and author (died 2011)

1961 65 years ago

Jeff Hostetler, American football player

William Jeffrey Hostetler is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, Los Angeles/Oaklan…

Jeff Hostetler, American football player

1961 65 years ago

Alo Mattiisen, Estonian composer (died 1996)

Alo Mattiisen was an Estonian musician and composer.

Alo Mattiisen, Estonian composer (died 1996)

1961 65 years ago

Greece becomes the first member state to join the European Economic Community by signing the Athens Agreement, which…

Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country of 10 million people on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. With nine regions and thousands of isla…

Greece becomes the first member state to join the European Economic Community by signing the Athens Agreement, which…

1961 65 years ago

Indian city Pune floods due to failure of the Khadakwasla and Panshet dams, killing at least two thousand people.

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the most populous country in the world and, since its independence i…

Indian city Pune floods due to failure of the Khadakwasla and Panshet dams, killing at least two thousand people.

1961 65 years ago

Tunisia imposes a blockade on the French naval base at Bizerte; the French would capture the entire town four days…

The Bizerte crisis occurred in July 1961 when Tunisia imposed a blockade on the French naval base at Bizerte, Tunisia, hoping to force its evacuation. The crisis culminated in a th…

Tunisia imposes a blockade on the French naval base at Bizerte; the French would capture the entire town four days…

1961 65 years ago

French military forces break the Tunisian siege of Bizerte.

Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and th…

French military forces break the Tunisian siege of Bizerte.

1961 65 years ago

Mercury program: Mercury-Redstone 4 Mission: Gus Grissom piloting Liberty Bell 7 becomes the second American to go…

Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program of the United States, running from 1958 through 1963. An early highlight of the Space Race, its goal was to put a man into E…

Mercury program: Mercury-Redstone 4 Mission: Gus Grissom piloting Liberty Bell 7 becomes the second American to go…

1961 65 years ago

Pierluigi Martini, Italian race car driver

Pierluigi Martini is an Italian former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from 1984 to 1985 and from 1988 to 1995. In endurance racing, Martini won the 24 Hours of Le Mans …

Pierluigi Martini, Italian race car driver

1961 65 years ago

Andrew Murrison, English physician and politician, Minister for International Security Strategy

Surgeon Commander Andrew William Murrison is a British doctor, naval officer and Conservative Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for South West Wiltshire, …

Andrew Murrison, English physician and politician, Minister for International Security Strategy

1961 65 years ago

Dinesh D'Souza, Indian-American journalist and author

Dinesh Joseph D'Souza is an Indian-born American right-wing political commentator, conspiracy theorist, author, and filmmaker. He has made several films and written over a dozen bo…

Dinesh D'Souza, Indian-American journalist and author

1961 65 years ago

Cold War: In a speech John F. Kennedy emphasizes that any attack on Berlin is an attack on NATO.

The Cold War was a period of international geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc …

Cold War: In a speech John F. Kennedy emphasizes that any attack on Berlin is an attack on NATO.

1961 65 years ago

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara orders the creation of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the nation's…

Robert Strange McNamara, also known by his initials RSM, was an American businessman and government official who served as the eighth United States secretary of defense from 1961 t…

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara orders the creation of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the nation's…

1961 65 years ago

Vietnam War: The U.S. Army begins Operation Ranch Hand, spraying an estimated 20 million US gallons (76,000 m3) of…

The Vietnam War was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam and South Vietnam and their allies. North Vietnam was supported by the Soviet Unio…

Vietnam War: The U.S. Army begins Operation Ranch Hand, spraying an estimated 20 million US gallons (76,000 m3) of…

1961 65 years ago

The former Portuguese territories in India of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are merged to create the Union Territory Dadra…

India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's seventh-largest country by area and the largest by population. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on…

The former Portuguese territories in India of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are merged to create the Union Territory Dadra…

1961 65 years ago

Miran Tepeš, Slovenian ski jumper

Miran Tepeš is a Slovenian former ski jumper and current ski jumping official who competed for Yugoslavia and Slovenia from 1979 to 1992. He won a silver medal in the team large hi…

Miran Tepeš, Slovenian ski jumper

1961 65 years ago

Chris Mars, American artist

Chris Mars is an American painter and musician. He was the drummer for the seminal Minneapolis-based alternative rock band the Replacements from 1979 to 1990; he later joined the i…

Chris Mars, American artist

1961 65 years ago

Andrew Schlafly, American lawyer and activist, founded Conservapedia

Andrew Layton Schlafly is an American lawyer and Christian conservative activist. He is the founder and owner of the wiki encyclopedia project Conservapedia. He is the son of the c…

Andrew Schlafly, American lawyer and activist, founded Conservapedia

1961 65 years ago

Arnór Guðjohnsen, Icelandic footballer

Arnór Guðjohnsen is an Icelandic former professional footballer who played as a striker. He spent seven years with Belgian club Anderlecht and was the top scorer in the 1986–87 sea…

Arnór Guðjohnsen, Icelandic footballer

1961 65 years ago

Clint Malarchuk, Canadian ice hockey player and coach

Clint Malarchuk is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1981 and 1992. He has been a coach for four NHL teams…

Clint Malarchuk, Canadian ice hockey player and coach

1961 65 years ago

Cold War: East Germany closes the border between the eastern and western sectors of Berlin to thwart its inhabitants'…

The Cold War was a period of international geopolitical rivalry between the United States (US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) and their respective allies, the capitalist Western Bloc …

Cold War: East Germany closes the border between the eastern and western sectors of Berlin to thwart its inhabitants'…

1961 65 years ago

President Jânio Quadros of Brazil resigns after just seven months in power, initiating a political crisis that…

Jânio da Silva Quadros was a Brazilian lawyer and politician who served as the 22nd president of Brazil from 31 January to 25 August 1961, when he resigned from office. He also ser…

President Jânio Quadros of Brazil resigns after just seven months in power, initiating a political crisis that…