60s: A Decade of Iconic Moments
The 60’s! In this era, the most iconic piece of fashion history ‘the blazer’ came into GANT’s world. Fighting for countless social freedoms and winning, great leaps in art, creativity and popular music as well as pivotal developments in science and politics… A time of tremendous optimism… Now, hop on to a time machine, and travel through familiar names and events that you didn’t know were a part of what made 60’s the 60’s!
The First Star on The Hollywood Boulevard
Here’s an interesting one that is sure to impress your friends on trivia game nights. The Hollywood Boulevard got its very first star in 1960 and so the ever famous Walk of Fame was born. The honour belongs to none other than Joanne Woodward.
Muhammed Ali, winning Gold
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!” Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) won the gold in light-weight boxing at the Summer Olympics. (1960). He would then convert to Islam and change his name on March 6, 1964 after his fabled fight with Sonny Liston during the finals of the World Heavyweight Championship.
Scooby- Doo
Say “Yabba Dabba Do” if you remember Fred, Wilma, Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm, Barney and Dino! Well, surprise! They’re old. Real old. Not stone age old but 1960 old. The Flintstones made their debut on September 30, (you guessed it) 1960!
Welcome to the world Ken!
Come on Barbie, let’s go party! Specifically, Ken’s birthday party. Did you know that Barbie’s boyfriend Ken’s birthday was on March 11th 1961.
Bob Dylan, releasing his first album
Without a doubt the 60s was a sparkling era for music! Bob Dylan released his first album on 1962, which interestingly enough took two afternoons to record. The following year, the Beatles released their first album “Please Please Me”. The “Beatlemania” fever started later on in 1964, subsequent to their appearance on American TV for the first time.
The love story of John & Yoko
Speaking of the Beatles… John Lennon met Yoko Ono in 1966 and the couple got married in 1969. Their love story is one that’s still being told…
Sex & The Single Girl
This one will sound familiar, but read carefully. The then editor of Cosmopolitan magazine Helen Gurley Brown publishes “Sex and the Single Girl”, which goes on to revolutionize the notion of modern woman and sexual freedom.
JFK opened its doors!
The New York TWA Flight Center aka Terminal of JFK International Airport designed by Eero Saarinen opened and kicked off the age of jet glamour in 1962.
The first Tonight Show
TV history in the making…Johnny Carson took over the Tonight Show in 1962.
Noble Price
John Steinback won the Nobel Prize in Literature and Linus Pauling won the Nobel Peace Prize for his opposition to weapons of mass destruction. (1962) In 1964 Martin Luther Kİng, Jr. became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
“I have a dream!” Sounds familiar, no?
Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic speech at the Lincoln Memorial during the Freedom March. (1963) He was assassinated outside of his balcony at a motel in 1968.
The end of Alcatraz
The reputed Alcatraz prison ceased operations in 1963 due to high running costs.
The Civil Rights Act
Rest assured that many more developments ensued regarding the civil rights scene. One of which was The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed any form of discrimination based on race, religion, gender or nationality in public places including schools.
Pew pew!
Do you like video games? Well, then you’ll like this one. The first interactive video game “Spacewar!” was invented in 1962 by three MIT students.
“Shaken, not stirred”.
Before Pierce Brosnan or Roger Moore there was Sean Connery… The actor starred in the first James Bond film, “Dr. No” in 1962.
Hi there, Spider Man
The 15th issue of “The Amazing Fantasy” comic book series introduced Spider Man to the world for the first time ever! Mind you, the issue is one of the most highly priced comics of all time…
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack!
The first ever Super Bowl came to life in 1967. For anyone wondering The Packers beat the Chiefs…
First push-button phone
1963 marks the year the first push-button phone was made. Isn’t that an innovation we can all be thankful for?
Laser Tech
Amongst many scientific advancements, probably the most notable one was Theodore Maiman’s discovery of the laser technology in ’60. His invention paved the way for fiber-optic communications, CDs, DVDs and sight restoring surgery that we use today.
The Birth of Pop Art
As far as art goes, it’s safe to say that Andy Warhol reigned in the 60s as the leader of the pop art movement.
Ford Mustang
Ford debuted the iconic muscle car 1965 Ford Mustang in 1964 in New York for under $2,400. The iconic vehicle is still being produced today, but everybody and their mothers already know that…
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for four counts of sabotage in 1962. You know the rest of the story… He was released 27 years later and following the end of the apartheid, made history by becoming South Africa’s first ever black president.
OM NOM NOM NOM!
The very relatable Cookie Monster was first seen in an IBM commercial in 67.
Sesame Street
Following the debut of the adorable blue monster, a whole bunch of furry loveable muppets that reside on the Sesame Street set out to conquer the hearts of a whole generation and others to come, on November 10, 1969. The show is currently on its 49thth season.
Those were the days when 2001 would seem so far away…
Stanley Kubrick’s ground-breaking science fiction “2001:A Space Odyssey” was released in 1968. Although the film wasn’t an instant hit it’s safe to say it later on went on to be declared by critics to be one of the most iconic movies of American history.
A Big Step
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong. Buzz Aldrin . The moon. 1969.You know what this is.
Peace, love and rock ‘n’ roll!
The Woodstock festival lasted 3 days but continued to influence generations for decades to come.