What Happened in 1960

Major Events

  • Feb 8 Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom issues an Order-in-Council, stating that she and her family would be known as the House of Windsor, and that her descendants will take the name "Mountbatten-Windsor"
  • Feb 13 France becomes the 4th nuclear nation by exploding their 1st device, a 70 kilo-ton "Gerboise Bleue" atomic bomb in the French Algerian Sahara desert [1]
  • Feb 29 Agadir earthquake in Morocco kills a third of the population (12,000-15,000)

1960 in Film & TV

1960 in Music

1960 in Sport

  • Jan 11 LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts
  • Feb 1 Australian Championships Men's Tennis: In a classic all-Australian final Rod Laver beats Neale Fraser 5-7, 3-6, 6-3, 8-6, 8-6; Laver's first Grand Slam title
  • Aug 25 AFL begins placing players names on back of their jerseys
  • Sep 15 Maurice Richard announces his retirement. He finishes his career with 544 goals, an NHL record at the time.
  • Oct 29 Cassius Clay's [Muhammad Ali] 1st professional fight; beats Tunney Hunsaker on points in 6 rounds in Louisville, Kentucky

Did You Know?

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is first published by J. B. Lippincott & Co.

July 11, 1960


More People Born in 1960

Fun Fact About 1960

"The Flintstones" the first animated sitcom created by Hanna-Barbera premieres on ABC in the US

September 30, 1960


More 1960 Deaths

Famous Weddings in 1960

  • Jan 22 Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California
  • Jan 31 American songwriter Adolph Green weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman in NYC
  • Mar 31 Actor Yul Brynner (39) weds fashion house executive Doris Kleiner (32) in Mexico City; divorce in 1967

Famous Divorces in 1960

  • Mar 4 American comedienne Lucille Ball files for divorce from Cuban-American singer Desi Arnaz, after 14 years of marriage
  • Mar 26 Academy Award-winning actor Yul Brynner (39) divorces actress Virginia Gilmore (40) after 15 years of marriage
  • Jun 14 Actress Laraine Day (39) divorces manager Leo Durocher (53) due to incompatibility after 12 years of marriage

More 1960 Weddings